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>/LAJOR GETI '^ ? "'■"I- 



V 
KIL PAT RICK 

AND 

OUR CAVALRY: 



COMPRISIXG A 

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF GENERAL KILPATRICxK, 



WITH AN ACCOUNT OF TUE 

OAVALKY RAIDS, ENGAGEMENTS, AND OPERATIONS UNDER HIS 

COMMAND, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REBELLION 

TO THE SURRENDER OF JOHNSTON. 



BY 

V 
JAMES MOORE, M. D., 

817R8B0N NINTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY. 



'®U1^ (Liutlbt llhistraHous, 

From Original Dbbigns by Waui.. 



NEW YORK: 

W. J. WIDDLETON, PUBLISHER. 

1865. 



N^^/> 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S65, 

By JAMES MOOEE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for tho 
Southern District of New York. 



m'cBEA and MILLKK, BTEKEOTYrEKS. 
C. A. ALVOED, PKINTKR. 



GALLANT OFFICERS AND BRAVE CAVALRYMEN, 

WnOSK VALOR AND NOBLE DEEDS ON THE DIFFERENT FIELDS Of 
GLORY HAVE ENTITLED THEM TO THE LASTING GRATI- 
TUDE OF THEIR COUNTRY, 

THE FOLLOWING VOLUME 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
AS A TOKEN OF AFFECTIONATE FRIENDSHIP, 
BY 

THE AUTHOR. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The present volume is intended as an historical 
narrative — chiefly of the cavalry battles in which 
its subject was engaged ; and contains, also, a brief 
sketch of his previous career. The rebellion itself 
has called forth more military talent than ever per- 
haps has been seen at any one period in the annals 
of the world. The intention of the author is, a plain 
and unvarnished account of events, in which, with 
ample materials, considerable personal knowledge, 
from a service of over three years, and intimate 
acquaintance with military men, he has studiously 
endeavored to render ample justice to every one, 
and abide by facts. He believes the work will be 
interesting, especially to those who have served their 
country in the field " Three Years or the War !" 



MlhulxKihu, 



I.-8TEEL POETEAIT OF GENERAL KiLPATRICK, EnGRAYED BY HaLPTO, 

FROM A Photograph by Beady . . . r.o...,.,.cl. 

IL-Battle of Big Bethel, a^d Death of Lieutenant Greble . 87 
III.-Battlk op Brandt Station, and Young Parsons Avenging the 
Death of Colonel Davis 

00 
IV..-GENERAL KiLPATRIOK AT BaXTLE OF BrANDT StATION . 61 

V.-Battle OF Aldie. General Kilpatrick Presenting His Own 

Sword to Colonel Cesnola . . _ -p 

VL-Cavalry Charge at Gettysburg, and Death op General 

Farnsworth 

06 

VII.-6ENERAL8 KiLPATRIOK AND BuFOED AT THE BaTTLE OF BoONS- 
BORO' 

log 

VIII.-EE8IPENCE OP GkNBRAL KiLPATRICK AT WeST PoINT ON THE 

Hudson . 

115 

IX-Major-General Pleasonton and his Generals after the 

Battle at Culpepper 

. 129 

X.-MEETING OF General Kilpatrick and the Scout Hogan, at 

Midnight, at Ely's Ford 

145 

XI.-General Kilpatrick Shelling the City of Richmond . .15] 

XII.— Death of Colonel Dahlgbbn . . . _ ,„ 

XIIL-Cavalry Charge at Resaoa, and Wounding of Geneeat. 

Kilpatrick 

• • . . 1G3 



CO^TEE"TS. 



CHAPTER I. 



General Kilpatrick's Birth and Early Education. — Ability as an 
Orator. — Enters West Point. — A Cadet. — Delivers the Vale- 
dictory Address. — His Patriotism. — Graduates and is mar- 
ried on the same Day. — Off to the Seat of War. — Wounded 
at Big Bethel. — First Raid. — Describes a Circle round the 
whole Rebel Army. — Description of Battles. — Country wild 
over his SucceSvS . 25 

CHAPTER n. 

Army of Potomac in motion. — Battle of Brandy Station. — Bra- 
very of Different Regiments. — Their Desperate Yalor. — The 
Victory won by a Gallant Charge. — Lee's intended Invasion 
of the North discovered. — Desperate Battle of our Cavalry 
at Aldie. — Bravery and Gallant Deeds of Kilpatrick. — Inci- 
dent. — Victory. — Battle of Upperville, and Rebel Defeat. — 
Kilpatrick promoted. — Changes in Army of Potomac 53 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

m 

The Nation roused. — Kilpatrick, with a Division of Cavalry, 
whips Stuart's Corps at Hanover. — Battle of Gettysburg. — 
Bravery of the Cavalry. — Little Round-Top. — Death of the 
Gallant Farnsworth. — Tribute to the Memory of that Gal- 
lant Officer 77 

CHAPTER IV. 
Battle and Victory of Monterey.^ — Eighteen Hundred and Sixty 
Prisoners Captured. — Surprises and again defeats Stuart. — 
Boonsboro ; the Battle and Victory. — Enemy's Design. — 
Rapid March. — Kilpatrick defeats the Rebels at Falling 
"Waters. — Death of the Rebel Major-General Pettigrew. — 
In Campaign, Four Thousand Prisoners, Nine Guns, and 
Eleven Battle-Flags captured .... 98 

CHAPTER V. 

West Point. — Description of Military Academy. — Why West 
Point Graduates were not always Loyal. — Educational 
Course. — Reputation of Professors, etc. . . . 112 

CHAPTER VI. 

Intended Movements of Army of the Potomac. — Pleasanton 
ordered to cross tlie Rappahannock and engage the Rebel 
Cavalry. — Our Cavalry again proves its Superiority on the 
Plains of Brandy Station. — Desperate Battle and Victory at 
Culpepper, etc. — Mehmcholy Domestic Afflictions . 124 



CONTENTS. 13 

CHAPTER VII. 

Dreadful Condition of Union Prisoners in Richmond Prisons. — 
Attempt made for their Liberation. — Second Richmond 
Raid. — Unsuccessful. — Rebel Inhumanity and Cruelty. — 
Amply revenged . . . . . .137 

CHAPTER VIII. 

General Kilpatrick joins Sherman. — Assigned to Important 
Cavalry Command. — Great Success in Many Battles. — 
"Wounded. — Recovers. — His Battles and Victories. — Prepa- 
ration for Famous Expedition through Georgia . . 159 

CHAPTER IX. 

Preparations for the Great Expedition. — General Kilpatrick's 
Instructions and Organization of Command. — Defeats the 
Rebel Cavalry, under Wheeler, at Jonesboro. — Destroys 
Cotton and other Valuable Rebel Property along the 
March. — Battle at East Macon. — Destroys Railroads, etc. — 
Repulse of Wheeler's Entire Force by the Sabre, in Battle 
at Griswold. — Arrival at Milledgeville. — Union Prisoners 
removed from Milledgeville. — The General attacked and 
cut off by Wheeler, with a Superior Force. — Fights his Way 
out through the Bravery of his Men. — Gives Wheeler a 
Severe Repulse near Buckhead Creek. — Wheeler takes up a 
Strong Position at Waynesboro .... 173 

CHAPTER X. 

Battle of Waynesboro. — Official Report of the Valiant Conduct 
of the Officers and Men. — Fall of Fort McAllister. — Descrip- 



14 CONTENTS. 

tion of Various Movemeats. — The Fall of Savannah. — Fine 
Compliment from the General-in-Chief. — Honors of Kil- 
patrick, etc., etc 187 

CHAPTER XL 

Remarks on the Cavalry in General. — The Great Cavalry Lead- 
ers the "War has produced. — Author's Rleas of Officers, Non- 
Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, of the Cavalry Com- 
mand. — Kilpatrick the Soldiers' Friend. — His Attention to 
their Wants. — Their Devotion. — Elements of Success. — His 
Staff. — His Great Interest in Young Men. — His Great Ad- 
ministrative Ability. — Oratorical Talent, etc., etc. . 198 

CHAPTER Xn. 

Sherman's Great Campaign in the Carolinas. — Kilpatrick's Feints 
and Diversions. — Battle of Monroe's Cross-Roads. — Defeats 
Hampton's and Wheeler's Cavalry combined. — Battle of 
Averysboro ....... . 210 

Conclusion 239 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER L 

General Kilpatrick's Birth and Early Education. — Ability as an 
Orator. — Enters "West Point a Cadet. — Delivers the Valedic- 
tory Address. — His Patriotism. — Graduates and is Married 
on the same Day. — Off to the Seat of War. — Wounded at 
Big Bethel. — First Eaid. — Describes a Circle round whole 
Eebel Army. — Description of Battles. — Country wild over 
his Success. 

In tlie beautiful Valley of tlie "Clove," in 
Northern New Jersey, in the year 1838, Major- 
General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, destined to 
play no inconsiderable role as a cavalry leader, 
first saw the light. His father was an exten- 
sive and enterprising farmer, held in great 
esteem in the locality ; his mother, a lady of 
good sense and high mental endowments, pos- 
sessed of the faculty of instilling into the mind 
of her son those sentiments of honor, truth, and 



26 KILPATEICK ATfD OUR CAVALRY. 

rectitude whicli form an estimable and a great 
character. 

As the child of their old age, his parents 
made every effort to afford him those advan- 
tages for an education which, at such a period, 
are so important ; his brother and two sisters 
were already grown up. In person he was, in 
youth, small, but active, and fond of athletic 
sports. Providence tenderly watched over his 
early years, as if designing him to work out 
some important end in the service of his coun- 
try. The boy is the man in miniature ; so, 
early he manifested a disposition for a military 
life, and love of the " bubble reputation." His 
pulse quickened at the sound of martial music 
and the gleam of glancing arms. He might 
often be found poring over ancient history and 
accounts of battles, in which he saw Alexander 
victorious over the immense hosts of Darius ; 
Cyrus, subverting the mighty monarchy of 
Babylon ; Xenophon, with courage, skill, and 
patience, leading back the Ten Thousand in 
their famous retreat. He beheld the glory of 
Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, and other 
ancient cities, rendered illustrious by the 
mighty men who live in ancient story and will 
never be forgotten. He loved to read about 



these heroes, and admired their genius, bravery, 
and good fortune, and w^as feTniliar with the 
niones of andent warriors. The heroes of 
Greece were ccnnpared^ in his young mind, with 
those of Carthage and K<Hne, and he dwelt with 
Tap* attention on the deeds of glory that have 
changed the history of mankind. Thus the 
great oonquotHS <rf the worid and their deeds 
filled his youthful breast with military ardor, 
and the fields won. and laurels that decked the 
brows of heroes, like Alexander, Cs&sar, Charle- 
ms^e. or Xapoleon, made him wish for a field 
on which to emulate their prowe^ and valor. 

It is in the order of Prc»videnc-e that all men 
are not made alike. One has a bias towards 
this pursuit, and another towar«is that ; and 
the very ground on which this young man stood 
reminded him of the events of the American 
Kevolution, and the efforts made for independ- 
ence: Washinsrton crowing the frozen Dela- 
ware 'mid so many obstacles : his endurance at 
Valley Forge ; his rapid strokes at the enony 
on so many occasions : his patriotism, exerted a 
powerful influence on the mind of the young 
aspirant for military ^ime, and were among the 
first principles ihak stimulated him to deeds of 
daring, in their effeete beneficial to the country. 



28 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

for wliicli SO many have nobly died, that no 
traitors might mar its union. In his seven- 
teenth year he took part in public meetings, 
became immersed in politics, was chosen a dele- 
gate to the State Convention, and proved him- 
self one of the first orators in his native State, 
and indeed was found to possess those gifts to 
such a degree that, with a mind well cultivated 
and full of energy, great hopes might be enter- 
tained of his usefulness to the nation. Soon after 
this period, in 1855, having found that his con- 
gressional district was entitled to a representa- 
tive at the Military Academy, he determined 
to secure the appointment. The person who 
had the power to grant this was the Hon. 
George Vail, member of Congress from his 
district. This gentleman's term in Congress 
was near expiring, and his friends and party 
desired and intended to use great efforts for 
his re-election. 

The young subject of this memoir, with many 
others, was selected to make sj)eeches through- 
out the district, and he spoke in every town 
and hamlet, and finally attracted the attention 
of his member of Congress, who, after the elec 
tion, which was carried, conferred on Kilpat- 
rick the much coveted appointment. 



KILPATEICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 29 

On the 20tli of June, 1856, 'in his eigh- 
teenth year, after the exertion of powers, that 
did great credit to his ability as a popular ora- 
tor, and showed rare power of eloquence, he 
made his first entry into the famous Mili- 
tary Academy at West Point as a cadet. 

Our plan does not include a description of 
cadet life, nor of the rigid course of studies 
and discij)line that, for five years, makes the 
cadet their subject ; sufiice to remark, from the 
moment a cadet enters, he is called a " Plebe," 
when he meets such persecutions and trials as 
only self-relying, energetic men can withstand. 
Then it is one long continuous struggle with 
demerit, studies, and discipline, till the student 
emerges from the institution a graduate, and, 
in a degree, a perfect man. 

All who possess not these sterling qualities, 
which have ever characterized great minds, 
strike, from time to time, the many unseen 
rocks that render wild and boisterous, the 
waters upon which the young cadet's boat 
must ride, and he allows himself to drift into 
the smoother waters of a citizen's life. Kilpat- 
rick entered on his studies with zest, and ap- 
plied himself diligently to master the grand 
principles that form the soldier. That he was 



30 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

well prepared to enter the institution, we are 
reliably informed. In mathematical science, en- 
gineering, ethics, and other branches, it is cer- 
tain he had, on leaving, an excellent knowledge, 
and, most likely, on other subjects equally pro- 
ficient. The class numbered one hundred and 
four; of these, fifty graduated, and he the fif- 
teenth in that number. 

The delivery of the valedictory was an honor 
which was conferred upon him. It is an oration 
of good style, noble sentiments, full of eloquent 
passages and patriotic motives, and reflects 
great credit on the author. We may, on a 
future page, have occasion to furnish the reader 
with a few extracts. 

The address was delivered before a select 
company of officers of the army, and the beauty 
and fashion of North and South which thronged 
the- graceful little chapel on the occasion — was 
listened to with great attention, and produced 
a profound impression, and one not soon to be 
forgotten. 

One incident, during his stay at the Acade- 
my, must not be omitted, as it illustrates fully 
the principle of action and manly daring of the 
subject of this memoir. He had been promoted 
to the rank of Cadet Ofiicer, for soldierly bear- 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 31 

ing, and, in the exercise of Ms duties was inter- 
fered with by one of tlie cadets, who made a dis- 
turbance, and, relying on his strength, answered 
only in an insolent manner when reproved — 
promising, if reported, that he would thrash 
Kilpatrick. The latter performed his duty, re- 
ported him, was attacked, and though but a 
small man, and the other one of the largest in 
the Academy, planted his blows with such ac- 
tivity, vigor, and skill, that, at the end of forty 
minutes, victory declared in his favor, and the 
discomfited foe was soon after court-martialled 
and dismissed the service. Thus, we see that 
he fearlessly performed his duty, and was not 
to be driven from it by bullying. This contest 
manifested the undeveloped physical and mental 
resources he possessed, and warned others that 
it was a hazardous exj^eriment to tamper with 
him. Though great good-will always existed 
between him and his companions; and that he 
had a heart formed for friendship one can see 
from the valedictory itself, which feelingly al- 
ludes to the pleasant times they spent together. 
He graduated at that important period when 
the corrupt political gamblers of the South, 
who, for years, had been cherishing treason 
next their hearts while swearing fealty to the 



33 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

Union, had, at last goaded themselves on to fire 
a hostile shot at the Stars and Stripes, long 
venerated and loved by a free nation. 

Kilpatrick was sitting in his room when this 
news reached the Point, creating the liveliest 
sensation. In common with every loyal patriot, 
his heart swelled with indignation, and he 
longed to graduate, that he might go at once 
into the field, and meet the enemies of the 
Union. It was now but April, and the class 
was to graduate in June ; the intervening time 
till then seemed an age ; he wanted to be off at 
once, to join those already in the field. When 
the mind is filled with an important design, or 
a great idea, whether love or war, politics or 
religion, it is likely that such design, or idea, 
will be communicated, and influence others. 
Some there sided with the South. It was a 
critical moment, for, at the commencement of 
the rebellion, the Union could send out men 
and raise money ; but it was not so easy to get 
efficient officers. The influence of this young 
man, ardent, patriotic, and eloquent, was of 
great benefit to the country ; inasmuch as by 
it a request was made, on the part of thirty- 
seven of the class out of fifty, to be permitted 
to graduate at once, and take the field. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 33 

Kilpatrick and his friend and classmate, tlie 
late lamented Colonel Kingsbury, wlio after- 
wards fell at Antietam, and Beaumont, a room- 
mate, drew up this petition, addressed to the 
President, and sent it to Washington. The re- 
quest was granted and the class graduated. It 
was a great day at West Point. The acquaint- 
ances of the young men were there, proud to 
see their success, and happy too. 

The eloquent words of the valedictory died 
away in the beautiful little chapel, and the at- 
tentive and gratified audience had dissolved, 
some one way, some another; but there was 
one, the loveliest of her sex, who, more than 
any other, £ung upon the lips of the young 
orator, and drank in the words of that address 
with thrilling pride and gratification. 

Nor can it be imagined that a sympathetic 
glow failed to animate the breast of the speaker 
on that occasion, or that his keen blue eye and 
quickening pulse, and features radiant with 
happiness as well as with pride, had not felt 
sensible of her presence. For already they 
were betrothed; the day fixed, a remote one 
in August, was to see them united in holy 
bonds. Of all suitors for her hand, the orator 
of the day was the favored one who was to bear 

2* 



34 KILPATRICK AjSTD OUE CAVALEY. 

away the treasure of a lovely woman's devoted 
aifections, whose sweetness of disposition, -good 
sense, and mental accomplishments, were equal 
to her ]3ersonal attractions. 

Keader ! there is a beautiful banner hanging 
at the head-quarters of one, who on that day 
was united in the chapel before mentioned, at 
West Point, to her whose hands made it ; and 
her name, the sweet name of Alice, is inscribed 
•on its streamer, and often has waved in danger 
and in victory. The youthful couple were 
standing together at the hotel, when a class- 
mate remarked: "Kill, is going to the field, 
and may not return. Better get married now." 
The advice was taken ; the chaplain was at 
hand — admiring friends around; the mystic 
knot was tied, and the happy paii' started for 
Washington that evening, v^th the prayers of 
all for their welfare. 

Thus Providence smiled on the path of this 
youth who had entered West Point, graduated, 
and married. The boy had become the man. 
Studies, and discipline, and theories, were now 
about to be put into practice. He had entered 
the arena, and was about to grapple with the 
responsibilities and stern realities of life. 
" None but the brave deserve the fair," and a 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 35 

brave spirit lie had, whose impatience soon led 
him into the tented field. His wisdom in mar- 
rying soon became apparent, for scarce had the 
honeymoon ended when, in the first charge, in 
the fii'st battle of the war, on the memorable 
11th of June, 1861, he fell wounded on the field, 
at the head of Duryea's Zouaves, at Big Bethel. 
To a wounded man a good nurse is as needful, 
almost, as a surgeon, and what nurse equals a 
loving wife? He had been serving at Fortress 
Monroe with Duryea's Zouaves, with General 
Benj. F. Butler. Several reconnoissances had 
been made that convinced the commanding gen- 
eral of the enemy being in force at Big Bethel, 
between Fortress Monroe and Yorktown. It 
was determined to attack this force by moving 
upon the main road to Yorktown, while Gen- 
eral Butler, in person, would make an attack, 
by water, on Yorktown, cutting off the retreat 
of the rebels. General Pierce, with from three 
to four thousand men, moved on Big Bethel 
from two points — Newport News and Fortress 
Monroe. ^ 

The young officer, about to make his fii'st 
dSMt as a warrior, was put in command of a 
part of Dmyea's Zouaves, and led the advance. 
Having made a rapid movement in the direc- 



36 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

tion of Yorktown, lie surprised and captured 
tlie enemy's picket-post, one mile from Big 
Bethel, and, marcliing all night, arrived in 
sight of the enemy's works in the morning. He 
was directed to make a reconnoissance, which 
ended in a general engagement. He moved his 
men across an open field, and, though never be- 
fore under fire, they moved with the steadiness 
of veterans. The enemy was driven out of his 
works, and took up a position behind a creek. 
Many brave men were killed and wounded, and 
this young officer, leading his troops gallantly 
on, was wounded in the right thigh mth a 
grape-shot ; notwithstanding this wound, though 
drenched in blood, and sufi^ering great pain, he 
led his troops in several subsequent charges, till 
loss of blood forced him to retire, and he was 
borne off from this his first field. 

Thus struggled he, and thus struggled, too, 
the gallant Greble, a young lieutenant of great 
promise, of Kilpatrick's own regiment, the First 
United States Artillery, who, in charge of the 
artillery, fell with many brave men in this bat- 
tle, admired by all who knew him, and univer- 
sally lamented. 

Though our troo];)S, after having made many 
charges, were, through mismanagement, forced 



KILPATRICK AN^D OUR CAVALRY. 39 

to retire from the field, yet the valor of officers 
and men aroused the bravery of the nation. 

Kilpatrick, having returned to New York 
city to recover from his wound, did not return 
to the field before September, when we find him 
at Washington, promoted to the rank of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, preparing his regiment, the 
Harris Light Cavalry, for the field. He was 
also promoted to First Lieutenant First Artil- 
lery in the regular army. He soon won the 
respect of his superiors, was one of an Exam- 
ining Board for examining cavalry officers of 
the volunteer service, and had, besides other 
duties, that of Inspector-General of McDowell's 
Division. When, on March 8th, 1862, the 
grand army of the Potomac marched on Ma- 
nassas, Kilpatrick' s regiment having the ad- 
vance, he left Arlington at daylight, and drove 
the rear guard of the retreating army of 
Lee from the burning ruins of Manassas. At 
seven o'clock, p. m., of the same day, having 
marched thirty miles, he was twelve miles in 
advance of the grand army. 

The following day, he advanced to Catlett's 
Station, and there remained till the middle of 
April, when McDowell's column moved on 
Falmouth, when he again was in the advance* 



40 KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALRY.- 

Meantime the grand army of tlie Potomac had 
moved to Alexandria, thence to Fortress Mon- 
roe, and was already thundering at the gates of 
Kichmond. Kilpatrick moved down the road 
to Falmouth, met and routed Lee's cavalry and 
infantry, five miles from that place. At one 
o'clock the following morning, with Colonel 
Bayard, and the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
he rode over the rebel barricades, and entered 
at daylight, the town of Falmouth. For this 
daring ride, in which many gallant men fell, 
and made both regiments famous, Bayard was 
made a general, and Kilpatrick was compli- 
mented and thanked in orders by the com- 
manding general. 

General Pope now assumed command of the 
army of Virginia, and Kilpatrick was afforded 
an opportunity of making one of those series of 
raids for which he afterwards became so well 
known. *'■* 

The main body of Lee's army was then con- 
centrated at Richmond, but the famous Stone- 
wall Jackson was at Gordonsville, and in the 
Shenandoah Valley. His princijDal line of com- 
munication and supplies was by the Virginia 
Central Railroad, running from Gordonsville to 
Richmond. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 41 

Kilpatrick was ordered to strike this railroad 
at different points, and break up Jackson's com- 
munication with Richmond, He made one 
raid after another, striking it at Beaver Dam, 
Frederick Hall, and Hanover Junction, burning 
stations and destroying the track, in sj^ite of 
every effort on the part of the enemy to prevent 
it. Though he attacked him at different times, 
he either whipped him or made good his own 
escape. 

His services were acknowledged by General 
Pope, in an official communication and by tele- 
graph, and the whole country exulted in the 
successes of the young officer who dared thus 
boldly to 02:)erate upon the enemy's communica- 
tions, at so great a distance, and in his own 
country. This was accomplished in July and 
August, 1862. 

In August, General Pope concentrated his 
forces at Culpepper, and next day was fought 
the memorable battle of Cedar Mountain, an 
engagement in which the cavalry took no im- 
portant part, but watched the flanks. 

Kilpatrick was picketing the Rapidan, and 
was the first to give the alarm that the whole 
rebel army under Lee had left the defences of 
Richmond, and was marching to annihilate 



42 KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 

Pope's army at Culpepper. When the truth of 
this was ascertained, General Pope determined 
to fall back on Centreville heights. In this 
retrograde movement, Kilpatrick's regiment 
was with General Bayard's cavalry brigade 
that covered the rear of our army till it reached 
the defences about Washington. 

The memorable events of these days are still 
fresh in the minds of the people. Eveiy one 
knows the part taken by Kilpatrick and his 
regiment in the battles of Brandy Station, 
Sulphur Springs, Freedman's Ford, Waterloo 
Bridge, Groveton, Haymarket, and, finally, the 
disastrous battle of Bull Run, and the subse- 
quent efforts made by this young officer to pro- 
tect our disorganized columns, as they fell back 
on Washington. Though his regiment had 
dwindled down from 700 men to less than 350, 
yet, when General Bayard made a call for men, 
when the rebel Fitzhugh Lee dashed on our 
tired and worn-out troops, at Fall's Church, it 
was one of the few to respond to the call. 

Bayard's cavalry remained south of Wash- 
ington, and did not participate in the glorious 
victories of Antietam and South Mountain, 
which followed in quick succession, and wiped 
out, in rebel blood, the disgrace cast upon our 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY, 43 

arms throngli the stupendous military blunder 
and defeat of Bull Run. 

But neither was Bayard nor Kilpatrick idle. 
A want of some proper organization, and es- 
pecially of concentration, in the cavalry, had 
long been felt by those who believed in the 
utility of this arm of the service. 

Every effort was made, by different cavalry 
officers, and especially by Bayard, the then 
great cavalry chief of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, to effect some permanent and beneficial 
change. Major-General Burn side, then in com- 
mand, allowed many valuable changes to be 
made. But it was not till General Hooker as- 
sumed command of the army, that the cavalry 
regiments scattered throughout the army were 
gathered together and massed as a distinct arm 
of the service. 

General Hooker believed in cavalry, and 
brigades and divisions were now formed and 
organized, and finally the Cavalry Corps of the 
Army of the Potomac was organized, and Stone- 
man placed at its head. 

The rebel cavalry under Stuart, Fitzhugh Lee, 
and Hampton, had long been organized into a 
formidable body ; and this organization necessi- 
tated a corresponding one in the Federal cav- 



44 KILPATllICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 

airy. The Southern chivalry, it was plain to be 
seen, in no small degree relied npon and were 
proud of their cavalry. That the men of the 
North could be taught to ride, and, especially, 
meet in saddle, in fierce combat, the cavaliers of 
the South, was derided by the proud and inso- 
lent rebels, who looked upon the independence 
of the Confederacy as a foregone conclusion. 

How much they reckoned without their host 
was soon made apparent. 

Stuart had massed, at Culpepper, his corps, 
consisting of a formidable body of men, not. 
less than fifteen thousand cavalry and twenty 
pieces of artillery. 

That this force was to be met — that a cavalry 
battle must ensue — on the first movement of the 
grand armies of Lee and Hooker, was well 
known to the army; but more especially to 
those more intimately concerned — Stoneman 
and his men. Consequently, no pains were 
spared, schools of instruction were established, 
boards of examination organized, old and in- 
competent officers dismissed, and intelligent, 
young, and daring men placed at the heads 
of regiments and brigades. Every effort was 
made to secure success in the struggle so near 
at hand. 



KILPATEICK AND OUK CAVALEY. 45 

General Averill, witli his division, crossed 
the Kappahannock at Kelly's Ford, about the 
middle of March (1863), and engaged the ene- 
my's cavalry, a few miles beyond, with great 
success. 

This was most encouraging to • the entire 
corps, but was only an antepast of the great 
victory over Stuart and his men, on the broad 
plains of Brandy Station, a few days later. 

The time had now arrived for the spring 
campaign. Contending armies were about to 
meet in hostile array on the plains of Chancel- 
lorsville, and a great battle was imminent. 
Mighty forces, on each side, were meeting for 
the strife. Corps of infantry and heavy guns 
were being forwarded to the scene of action, 
and the cavalry was to act no unimportant part. 
It was decided that Stoneman should cross the 
Rappahannock and the Kapidan, and fasten 
upon the communications of the enemy, destroy 
bridges and railroads, and prevent a retreat of 
the enemy should he be defeated, as was fully 
expected. 

The cavalry corps consisted of three divi- 
sions, commanded by Generals Pleasanton, 
Averill, and Gregg, and the regular brigade 
under Buford. 



46 KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 

Leaving General Pleasanton to co-operate di- 
rectly v^itli the main army, Stoneman left his en- 
campment and marched for the Rappahannock, 
intending to cross at Beverly Ford, and dispose 
of the rebel cavalry gathered there under Stuart, 
before moving to the rear of Lee's army. 

High water and bad roads, however, baffled 
all attempts to cross for several days, and finally 
this plan was abandoned. Stoneman, however, 
not discouraged, moved rapidly to Kelly's 
Ford, a few miles lower down, and moved his 
entire force boldly between the rebel cavalry 
and the main army under Lee, to and across 
the Rapidan, and pushed rapidly on, striking 
the Virginia Central, far in the rear of Lee's 
army, at Louisa Court-House. 

From this point, Stoneman moved forward, 
crossed the North Anna, and halted at the point 
on the main Richmond road where the road 
from Spottsylvania to Goochland Court-House 
intersected it. Kilpatrick, then commanding a 
brigade of Gregg's division, was ordered to 
cover the rear, and hold in check any forces of 
Stuart that might be inclined to follow. 

After dark he silently left his camp, making 
a rapid night march, and joined General Stone- 
man. From information received by stragglers 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 47 

and contrabands from Lee's army, there was 
every reason to believe that General had been 
defeated, and was now retreating towards Rich- 
mond. The time for Stoneman to act had now 
arrived. 

Accordingly, with coolness and promptitude, 
he issued his orders : Gregg was sent to destroy 
the bridges over the North Anna, and interrupt 
communication in that direction; Colonel Davis 
was sent to destroy the bridges over the South 
Anna, south of the Fredericksburg railroad ; 
Colonel Windham, with details from regiments 
of his brigade, was sent to destroy the canal 
along the James river ; and finally, Kilpatrick, 
with the Harris Light Cavalry, was sent to burn 
the railroad and meadow bridges on the Chicka- 
hominy, five miles from the city of Richmond. 
Meanwhile, Stoneman, with the main force, 
remained to cover those movements, in case 
Stuart should make his appearance. 

It is not the intention of the author to follow 
out the details of these operations. Gregg was 
very successful ; Windham partially so ; Davis, 
after fulfilling his orders, joined Kilpatrick at 
Gloucester Point, upon whom devolved the most 
difiicult and dangerous as well as the most im- 
portant task. From its great success, and on 



48 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

account of forming the most important feature 
in Stoneman's great raid — though anxious to 
hurry on to the description of the great cav- 
alrj battles which followed three months later — 
the occasion demands a narrative of the princi- 
pal events that covered Kilpatrick and his men 
with glory, and made the name of this gallant 
young officer resonant from every tongue. 

With his own regiment, the Harris Light, 
numbering four hundred and forty-seven men, 
and with such subordinate officers as Davis, Mc- 
Irvin, Grinton, Cook, Mitchell, Estis, and Hack- 
ley, he parted with Stoneman and his cavalr}-^, 
in the earliest hours of an April "day, and, full 
of high hopes, started on his perilous expedi- 
tion. 

Advancing rapidly, without cessation, he en- 
camped at night thirteen miles from the rebel 
capital. He pushed boldly forward, though 
surrounded by the enemy, and, as was ascer- 
tained from scouts, every road was swarming 
with their troo]3s. 

Avoiding too formidable bodies, and driving 
before him the smaller forces that dared oppose 
his march, he struck the Fredericksburg railroad 
at day-dawn nine miles from Kichmond. 

He then crossed over, and moved down the 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 49 

Brook Pike within two miles of the cit}', into 
which he drove, in confusion, a section of artil- 
lery and a considerable force of infantry and 
cavalry. 

An aide-de-camp of General Winder, by name 
Captain Brown, and fourteen men, his escort, 
were captured and paroled, Kilpatrick dating 
the parole from the city of Richmond. 

The aide-de-camp, an intelligent young man, 
was perfectly astonished at the bold daring of 
the "Yankee raider," remarking, " You're mighty 
daring sort of fellows; but you will certainly 
be captured before sundown !" 

" That may all be," said Kilpatrick, " but we 
intend to do a mighty deal of mischief first ;" a 
prediction amply verified in a few days. 

He left a portion of his troops to engage the 
rebel batteries, which were visible at no great 
distance, and, guided by a negro, moved through 
a plantation, and, unobserved by the enemy, 
burned the railroad bridge over the Chicka- 
hominy. The troops were led in safety across, 
and the grand object of the expedition was fully 
attained, though in the face of rebel batteries 
that had a comjDlete range of the important 
bridges laid in ashes by this intrepid com- 
mander. 



50 KILPATKICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 

The situation was now imminently perilous. 
Rebel columns could be seen moving up tlie 
Brook Pike, and up tlie road to Meclianicsville, 
to intercept and capture this little band of 
heroes, and all hopes of returning to Stoneman 
were rendered impossible. 

The leader glanced at his map, and, for one 
moment only, an anxious expression clouded his 
features, but vanished as it came. He sprang 
to his feet, shouting : " To horse, men ! we are 
all right ; we are all safe yet !" 

Placed at their head, he urged rapidly on- 
wards across a field to the house of a planter ; 
and, finding a negro, who satisfactorily answered 
his questions, and knew the locality well, he 
mounted him on horseback, and under his 
guidance struck the main road from Richmond, 
and in less than two hours arrived at Hanover 
Town, on the banks of the Pamunkey. 

Crossing on flatboats, he destroyed all the 
boats and bridges for miles above and below, 
thus rendering every attempt at successful pur- 
suit unavailing. 

Cheer after cheer now rent the air, and the 
skilful manner in which their leader conducted 
the hazardous enterprise, strewn with one diffi- 
culty after another, now happily surmounted, 



/*♦ 



KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 61 

and the impassable barrier of a broad, deep, and 
rapid stream being interposed, and pursuit im- 
possible, gave him such a hold on the hearts of 
his men, and such a feeling of confidence in him 
was inspired, as to raise their enthusiasm to 
the highest point of admiration, which was sus- 
ceptible of no diminution, but rose higher and 
higher. 

You, who have led soldiers on the battle- 
field, through perils, carnage, and death — who, 
successful, the danger past, can enter into the 
feelings of these brave men, and understand the 
peculiar faculty this leader possesses of inspi- 
ring his men with confidence, respect, and love, 
and that to a degree seldom equalled. •,, 

The expedition did not end with the accom- 
plishment of its grand design ; but rebel stores, 
trains of wagons, one after another were de- 
stroyed, and Aylett's Station, with its immense 
suj^plies for the rebel army, was laid in ashes. 
All along the road, between Kings's and Queen's 
Court-House, every thing that could be of use 
to the enemy met the same fate ; and at last the 
Federal lines were reached at Gloucester Point. 

Having rested a few days, Kilpatrick, with 
his own reo-iment and the Eio-hth Illinois Gav- 
airy, comprising, in all, about a thousand men, 

3 



52 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

marclied tlirougli Gloucester Court-House and 
Dragon's Swamp, and thence to Urbana, on the 
Kappahannock. 

The troops crossed in transports sent for the 
purpose, and were conducted up the Peninsula, 
rejoining General Hooker at Falmouth, after 
describing a complete circle of the entire rebel 
army. The loss in killed, wounded, and missing, 
in this daring expedition, amounted to forty- 
nine men in all. 

It was completed in five days, during which 
sixty miles a day were traversed, and the wea- 
ried men and horses then obtained a brief 
repose. 

Here we will leave them for the present, 
while their gallant leader, whose star was in 
the ascendant, rests upon his laurels, and make 
ready for the great events which follow closely 
upon these. 



KILPATKICK A^D OUR CAVALRT. 53 



CHAPTER 11. 

Army of the Potomac in Motion. — Battle of Brandy Station. — 
Bravery of different Regiments ; their Desperate Valor. — 
The Victory won by a Gallant Charge. — Lee's intended In- 
vasion of the North discovered. — Desperate Battle of our 
Cavalry at Aldie. — Bravery and Gallant Deeds of Kilpatrick. 
— Incident. — Victory. — Battle of TJpperville, and Eebel 
Defeat. — Kilpatrick Promoted. — Changes in the Army of 
the Potomac. 

Hooker had now, once more, gathered his 
army about him, and the depressing results of 
his failure at Chancellorsville were obviated and 
lost sight of in the great interest felt for his 
next movements. 

Positive information had been received that 
the rebel chief was breaking up his camp, and 
had put his various columns in motion ; tall spi- 
rals of smoke were seen rising above the high 
tree-tops and from among the rugged hills 
around Fredericksburg. Heavy clouds of dust 
had been rising for hours, and were seen rolling 
on towards Culpepper, indicating a vast move- 
ment of men in that direction. 



54 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

Hooker did not hesitate for one moment. He 
knew, full well, the meaning of these military 
signs, and the course he should pursue. 

A reconnoissance in force was made across 
the Rapahannock, to remove all doubts, while 
with his main army, he marched for Catlett's 
Station. Information reached him here, that 
Stuart had been massing his cavalry near Bev- 
erly Ford, for an intended raid into Maryland 
and Pennsylvania. This must be prevented, 
and the real object of Lee discovered. General 
Pleasanton, the then cavalry chief, was directed 
to move, with his entire command, and attack 
and defeat Stuart, thus nipping in the bud the 
anticipated raid, and discovering at the same 
time the position of the rebel army. 

On the morning of the 9th of May the vari- 
ous cavalry columns took up their line of march 
in obedience to the orders of Pleasanton, who, 
thoroughly acquainted with and master of his 
subject, had well matured his plans for the first 
as well as greatest cavalry battle ever fought 
on this continent. 

Many of my readers have visited, at some 
time during the present war, our army while 
encamped on the banks of the Rappahannock, 
and well remember the broad, open plains ex- 



M^ 













pq 



o 



KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 57 



tending, far back from this romantic river, in 
the direction of Stevensburg, Culpepper, and 
the battle-field of Cedar Mountain. Here 
Stuart had massed his men — here the great 
cavalry battle occurred — and here the moulder- 
ing bones of many a cavalry hero attest full 
well how that field was fought and won. 

Gregg, with two divisions, crossed at early 
dawn the Rappahannock, at Beverly Ford, 
intending to push boldly out well in the direc- 
tion of Stevensburg, and then move upon the 
enemy's flank and rear at Brandy Station. 
Pleasanton, with Buford and the gallant Col- 
onel Davis, crossed at Beverly Ford, surprised 
the enemy in his camp, and had crossed his 
entire force before he was aware of the move- 
ment. A desperate battle now ensued. Davis 
fell in the very centre of the enemy's camps, 
leading a gallant charge; young Parsons, of his 
staff, leaped his horse over the prostrate body 
of his chief, and killed, at one blow, the 
author of his death ; the enemy was steadily 
pressed back, foot by foot, until he had been 
driven upwards of two miles. 

It would have fared ill with our cavalry, at 
this point, had it not been for the timely 
arrival of General Ames, with his brigade of 



58 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

veteran infantry. These were pushed well in, 
and fought side by side with our cavalry 
throughout the day. 

At 10.30 A. M. Grregg came in sight of the 
plain about Brandy Station. It was indeed a 
glorious sj^ectacle. The whole battle-field was 
before him. Far to the left the artillery, from 
the low hills, was sending shot and shell 
through and through the rushing squadrons ; 
and the bright gleam of sabres, flashing in the 
sunlight could be distinctly seen, while the 
wild shout of friend and foe rushing to the 
charge was borne to the eai's of those men of 
Gregg, who now, for the first time, saw the dust 
and smoke of battle, and longed to mingle in 
the fray. 

The word was given — their willing blades 
leaped from their scabbards, and with one 
wild, exultant shout they dashed across the field, 
on, over the railroad, and, with Windham at 
their head, actually rode over and through the 
head-quarters of Stuart, the rebel chief. 

Here they were met by rebel columns too 
powerful to withstand. Nobly fought the 
First New Jersey ; and, like brave men too, 
fought the First Pennsylvania. But all in 
vain ! Back they rolled, before the formida* 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 59 

ble host, down the hill, and, despite the mighty- 
efforts made, it seemed as if all were lost. At 
this critical moment Kilpatrick's battle-flag 
floated out upon the field, and after it came 
the disciplined squadrons of the Harris Light, 
the Tenth New York, and the First Maine. In 
echelons of squadrons, by regiments, he quickly 
formed his brigade, and down rushed upon the 
rebel cavalry, swarming on the plain below. 
The Tenth New York met and recoiled before 
the shock. Back also was borne the Harris 
Light. At the repulse of his own proud regi- 
ment, Kilpatrick was wild with excitement. 

The First Maine had not yet been engaged, 
and was slowly moving down. Kilpatrick 
dashed to the head of this regiment, shout- 
ing, " Men of Maine ! you must save the day ! 
Follow me !" 

In one solid mass this splendid regiment 
circled first to the right, and then moving in a 
straight line at a run struck the rebel columns 
in flank. The shock was terrific ! Down 
went the rebels before this wild rush of 
maddened horses, biting sabres, and whistling 
balls. 

On rode the men of Maine, and as they 
passed the Harris Light and Tenth New York, 



60 KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

now relieved from the attack in front, Kil- 
patrick's voice rang loud and clear above tlie 
noise and din of battle. 

" Back the Harris Light ! Back the Tenth 
New York ! Keform your squadrons and 
charge !" The hill was won : Windham's 
guns, lost in the first charge, recaptured, and 
the day was saved ; the enemy gave way before 
Gregg's repeated charges, and, at four o'clock 
p. M. he made a junction with the cavalry 
under Pleasanton. 

The victory was fairly won, and, had one of 
our divisions under Duffie come upon the 
field at the time ordered, it might have been 
decisive. The enemy's infantry could now be 
seen marching down from Culpepper, to the 
relief of their worn-out and defeated cavalry. 
The object of the attack was accomplished : 
Stuart's raid prevented, and the important 
informatioji. gained' ^s'.th at Lee was marching for 
Maryland. Pleasanton withdrew his victorous 
squadrons in safety across the Bap]3ahannock, 
and thus ended a day replete with glory to 
our arms. 

Our cavalry had met the enemy in superior 
force, in fair combat, on the open ground, and 
the boasted chivalry, the cavaliers of the South, 







^/Ji 



'^ \l. 




KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 63 

had been ridden down, and vanquislied by the 
men of the North. The following day Pleas- 
anton was made a Major-General, and Kil- 
patrick a Brigadier. These splendid cavalry 
battles, as we have already remarked, exposed 
the real movements of Lee, and had convinced 
Hooker, beyond a doubt, that it was his op- 
ponent's intention to march for the Potomac, 
at some point near or above Harper's Ferry. 
Hooker made no attempt whatever, to prevent 
or check this advance ; but contented himself 
with moving slowly on, and carefully watch- 
ing the movements of the rebel army, till his 
various corps reached Fairfax Court-House. 
Here he made his head-quarters for several 
days, pushing his columns well out in the 
direction of Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap. 
This delay was purposely made, that Lee 
might have ample time to reach a point from 
which he could not retreat without a battle. 
But as Lee did not make his appearance on 
the banks of the Potomac as quickly as antici- 
pated, some uneasiness was created in the 
mind of Hooker. A question arose, where 
was the rebel army? and what were the in- 
tentions of Lee ? 

This it was necessary should be ascertained, 



64 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

and tlie question could alone be solved by an 
armed reconnoissance. 

Pleasanton had already moved his command 
to Manassas and Bull Run, and it now devolved 
on him to make this reconnoissance and gain 
the required information. 

Accordingly, he moved at early dawn, on 
the morning of the 18th of June, crossed the 
plains of Manassas, passed the celel)rated battle- 
field of Groveton, and by noon came in sight 
of the high hills about Aldie. 

General Kilpatrick was now sent in the 
advance with his brigade, consisting of the 
Harris Light, Colonel Davies; Fourth New 
York, Colonel Cesnola; the First Massachu- 
setts ; First Rhode Island ; Sixth Ohio Cavalry, 
Colonel Duffie ; and a section of artillery, under 
Lieutenant Randall. 

Kilpatrick was directed to move through 
Aldie; thence to and through Ashby's Gap, 
ascertain the enemy's movements, and rejoin 
the cavalry corps at Nolan's Ferry on the Poto- 
mac. Colonel Duffie, with his regiment, the 
First Rhode Island cavalry, was directed to 
move through Thoroughfare Gap and join Kil- 
patrick in the valley beyond. 

Scarcely had his advance reached the town 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 65 

of Aldie, wlien it came directly upon the 
advance guard of Fitzhugli Lee. This was 
entirely unexpected. No enemy v^as supposed 
to be on the Aldie side of Bull Run mountains. 

The General rode to the front, ran his eye 
over the field for a moment, and then rapidly 
gave his orders. He had taken in the whole 
field at one rapid glance, and saw the import- 
ant points that must be gained. The Harris 
Light Cavalry was directed to charge straight 
down the road, through the town, gain and 
hold the long, low hill over which ran the 
road from Middleburg. With anxious eye he 
watched the charge on which so much depend- 
ed, saw that it was successful, and quickly and 
resolutely pushed in one regiment after another 
on the right of the Harris Light, till the high 
hills, far on the right of Aldie, were gained. 

This fine disposition was made, and import- 
ant position won, before the rebel general Fitz- 
hugli Lee could make a single eftbrt to prevent 
it, although he had a division of cavalry at his 
back. 

He soon recovei'ed, however, from the tempo- 
rary surprise, and for two hours made most 
desperate efforts to regain the position lost. 
He struck the right, left, and centre, in quick 



66 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

succession, wliile his battery of Blakely guns 
thundered forth their messengers of death. 

But all in vain ! Kilpatrick's gallant men — 
the heroes of Brandy Station — met and hurled 
back each charge, while Randall's battery, 
ignoring entirely the rebel guns, sent his can- 
nister and shells tearing through the heavy 
columns of the enemy. 

On this day Kilpatrick did wondei's. He 
fought under the eye of his chief, and where 
bullets flew the thickest and where the shock 
came the heaviest, there rano; his cheerino; 
voice and there flashed his sabre. His own 
regiment, the Harris Light, had failed to meet 
his hopes on the plains of Brandy Station. 
This was known to the ofiicers of that splendid 
organization, and on that very morning they 
had petitioned their general for an opportunity 
to retrieve their reputation. The opportunity 
was at hand. 

A large force of the enemy occupied a strong 
position, behind rail barricades encircling large 
stacks of hay. For a long time rebel sharp- 
shooters, from this secure position, had bafiled 
every attempt to advance our lines on the left. 
The general ordered up a battalion of the 
Harris Light. Quickly it came ! Addressing 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 67 

a few encouraging words to tlie men, and" then 
turning to Major Irvin, tlie officer in command, 
be said, pointing to the barricades : " Major ! 
there is the opportimity you have asked for. 
Go ! take tliat "position /" Away dashed this 
officer and his men. In a moment the enemy 
was reached, and the struggle begun. The 
horses could not leap the barricade, but the men 
dismounted, scaled those formidal^le barriers, 
and, with drawn sabres, rushed upon the hidden 
foe, who quickly asked for quarter. 

Another incident occurred worth mentioning. 
Colonel Cesnola, of the Fourth New York 
Cavalry, had that morning, through mistake, 
been placed under arrest, and, his sword Tjeing 
taken from him, was without arms. But in 
one of these wild charges, made early in the 
morning, his regiment hesitated. Forgetting 
that he was under arrest and without com- 
mand, he flew to the head of his regiment, re- 
assured his men, and, without a weapon to give 
or ward a blow, led them to the charge. This 
gallant act was seen by his General, who, meet- 
ing him on his return, said : " Colonel, you are 
a brave man ; you are released from arrest ;" 
and, taking his own sword from his side, handed 
it to the Colonel, saying : " Here is my sword ; 



68 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

wear it in honor of this day!" In the next 
charge Colonel Cesnola fell, desperately wound- 
ed, and was taken prisoner. 

The rel^el general, being foiled at every 
point, resolved to make one more desperate 
effort. Silently and quickly he massed a heavy 
force upon our extreme right, and, led by Gen- 
eral Rosser, made one of the most desperate 
and determined charges of the day. Kilpatrick 
was aware of this movement, and, satisfied that 
his men, exhausted as they were, could not with- 
stand the charge, had already sent for re-enforce- 
ments. 

Before these could reach him the shock came. 
The First Massachusetts had the right, and 
fought as only brave men could to stem the 
tide that steadily bore them back, until the 
whole right gave way. Back rushed our men in 
wild confusion, and on came the victorious rebel 
horsemen. The General saw, with anguish, his 
flying soldiers, yet, in this extremity, retained 
his presence of mind, and proved himself worthy 
the star he had won at Brandy Station. 

Sending orders for the centre and left to stand 
fast, and for Randall not to move, but double- 
shot his guns, he placed himself at the head of 
the First Maine, sent to his assistance, and coolly 




o 



o 

o 



o 



W 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 71 

waited till the rebel charging columns had ad- 
vanced within fifty yards of Randall's gnns. He 
then shouted ^'' Forwa/rd V and the same regi- 
ment that saved the day at Brandy Station was 
destined to save the day at Aldie. Rosser's 
men could not withstand the charge, but broke 
and fled up the hill. The General's horse was 
killed in the charge, and here the brave Colonel 
Doughty fell. 

The General determined now to complete the 
victory, and, mounting a fresh horse, he urged 
on the First Maine and First Massachusetts, sent 
orders for his whole line to advance, and then 
sounded the charge. Lee struggled for a few 
minutes against this advance, and then ordered 
a retreat, which ended in a rout. His troops 
were driven in confusion as far as Middleburg, 
and night alone saved the remnant of his com- 
mand. 

This was by far the most bloody cavalry l^attle 
of the war. The rebel chivalry had again been 
beaten, and Kilpatrick, who was the only gen- 
eral on the field, at once took a proud stand 
among the most famous of our Union cavalry 
generals. The fame of our cavalry was now 
much enhanced, and caused the greatest joy to 
the nation. 



73 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

Well founded expectations, from the success 
of our arms, gave tlie hope of bringing the war 
to a close at no distant day. The arm of the 
service that had achieved such victories became 
an object of pride to the people. We now had 
a cavalry force and cavalry leaders able to cope 
with the chivalry. The rapid movements of 
Jugurtha and the Numidian Cavalry had been 
surj^assed by the Richmond raid, already de- 
scribed. The dash of " Light Horse Harry Lee" 
of the Kevolution, and the celebrated charge of 
the Six Hundred, were equalled. 

" Charged by shot and shell, 
Boldly they rode and well, 

Into the jaws of death. 
Into the mouth of hell. 
Rode the Six Hundred." 

The skilful combination and rapid execution 
which the reader has not failed to observe as 
some of the characteristics of the young General, 
were among the causes of his working out so 
many problems of difficult solution. Nature 
and education seem to have endowed him with 
that quickness of perception, readiness of mind, 
and strength of purpose, which, when the will 
determines, no impediment is sufficient to deter 
from putting into successful execution what a 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 73 

rapid glance suffices to compreliend. To tliose 
of our readers who have not seen General Kil- 
patrick, a personal description may not be un- 
interesting, in connection with this relation of 
events in which he is so naturally conspicuous. 
His stature is five feet seven inches; average 
weight one hundred and forty pounds ; physi- 
cal organization such as to combine agility, 
gracefulness, and ease of movement, with 
strength, endurance, and energy ; temperament 
nervous and restless, but sanguine, taking views 
from nature in her smiling mood ; hopeful, al- 
ways calculating on success; his face in all its 
outlines is well delineated, oval in form, coni- 
plexion fair, teeth regular and white, nose prom- 
inent, eyes blue and piercing upon occasion, 
expression frank, free, open, and cordial ; man- 
ners easy, blending dignity with accessibility, 
and rendering respect always where it is due — 
and this is one cause of much popularity. The 
greatest characters are usually the most easy 
of access, and good breeding greatly consists in 
putting every one at ease. With these quali- 
ties, a certain eloquence, colloquial and extem- 
poraneous, distinguishes the subject of this 
memoir. 

After the battle of Aldie, Pleasanton deter- 



74 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

mined to push on through. Middleburg to Ash- 
by's Grap, and, if possible, force Stuart back on 
the rebel infantry. Colonel Craig, the following 
morning, made a reconnoissance to Middleburg, 
and, after a slight skirmish, occupied the town. 
June 21st, Pleasanton advanced with his entire 
corps ; Buford held the right, and Grregg the 
left. The enemy was met a short distance be- 
yond Middleburg, and forced steadily back to 
Upperville. Here the enemy made a deter- 
mined stand. This he found was absolutely 
necessary, as otherwise the force in front of 
Buford, who was on a road far to the right, 
would be unable to reach Ashley's Gap, and, 
consequently, would be cut off and captured. 
Pleasanton saw the necessity of at once routing 
the force in front of Gregg ; and, accordingly, 
Kilpatrick was ordered to charge the to^vn. 
This was done most handsomely, sabres alone 
being used — a weapon this General always had 
great confidence in, and by its use now drove 
the enemy from the town precipitately, through 
Ashby's Gap and back on Lee's infantry. 

While the fight was going on, scouts from 
Buford's column had crossed the mountain, and 
discovered that the advance of Lee's army, un- 
der Longstreet, was moving up the valley 



KILPATRICK AND OUIi CAVALRY. 75 

towards Williamsport, on the Potomac. Tlie 
following day Pleasanton moved slowly back to 
Aldie, and thence to Harper's Ferry — crossed 
the river, and with the main army, under 
Hooker, moved to Frederick City. Here many 
important changes of the army took place. 
General Hooker was relieved from command of 
the Army of the Potomac, and Major-General 
Meade placed at its head. 

Major- General Stahl, commanding a division 
of cavalry numbering upwards of five thousand 
men, was relieved, and General Kilpatrick 
placed in command. Captain Merritt, of the 
regulars, was promoted to the rank of Briga- 
dier, and assumed command of the Kegular 
Cavalry Brigade. Captains Custer and Farns- 
worth, of Pleasanton's stalf, had been promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier-General, and assigned 
to command brigades under General Kilpatrick. 
The cavalry corps now consisted of three large 
divisions, commanded by Buford, Gregg, and 
Kilpatrick. This brings us up to the com- 
mencement of those great strategic movements 
which forced the enemy, who had now crossed 
the State of Maryland and reached with his 
advance the banks of the Susquehanna, to give 



76 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

US battle on the glorious field of Gettysburg. 
An account of this battle, and especially the 
part taken in it by the cavalry, will be described ^ 
in the following chapter. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 77 



CHAPTER ni. 

The Nation roused. — Kilpatrick, with a Division of Cavalry, 
vrhips Stuart's Corps at Hanover, Pa. — Battle of Gettys- 
burg. — Bravery of the Cavalry. — Little Bound Top. — Death 
of the Gallant Farnsworth. — Tribute to the Memory of that 
Officer. 

Before entering on tlie details of this battle, 
the reader's attention is invited to a retrospec- 
tive view of the events that had intervened 
since the disastrous day that saw a Union army 
panic-stricken, and fleeing before astonished 
traitors in arms against their country, on the 
bloody field of Bull Run, in which a disgrace 
so great had this advantage to the nation : it 
entirely removed the public contempt, almost 
universally entertained hitherto, regarding the 
magnitude of the rebellion. 

We have seen the subject of this memoir, on 
that eventful day, doing what he could to pre- 
serve our shattered forces, as they fell back on 
the defences of Washington and filled the dis- 
mayed inhabitants with terror. He also was 



78 KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 

present, when, at Baltimore, a mob endeavored 
to stop the trains for Washington, and exhibited 
there that bold intrepidity v^hich marks his 
character. 

The nation will ever remember with grati- 
tude the brave men who at that period defied 
the mob, and, with their lives in their hands, 
defied it amid more terror than that of the bat- 
tle-field. On the occasion of that sad event — the 
defeat that gave hope to rebels — the President, 
the cabinet, the veteran commander-in-chief, in 
a word, everybody, was filled with anxious con- 
cern, if not consternation. The press, the tele- 
graph, the bulletin-boards of newspapers, every 
avenue of intelligence, was sought out by the 
inquiries of an excited people, filled with indig- 
nation, and flying to arms. As Volta beheld 
the phenomenon of muscular contraction in the 
frog pLaced under electric influences, so now 
the nation's great heart throbbed, and by its 
powerful diastolic action, sent a mighty life- 
current throughout the whole body politic. 
Thousands of armed patriots rose at the call of 
their country, and were ready to march in regu- 
lar array to the soul-inspiring notes of martial 
music, and were willing, in so holy a cause, to 
offer their lives a sacrifice on their country's 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 79 

altar, as in the days of the Revolution. The 
farmer left his fields, the artisan his handicraft, 
the doctor his patient, the lawyer his clients ; 
the matron helped to buckle on her husband's 
knapsack, and the tender maiden hurried her 
betrothed to the seat of war, where, alas ! many 
a young heart, beating high with hopes, ceased 
its pulses forever. It was thought the war 
would be of short duration. Four years did 
not see that gigantic rebellion subdued. But 
a great people had now determined, at any cost 
of life and treasure, to put it down, to crush it, 
to utterly exterminate the wicked from the 
land. 

The author feels pride to be among the first, 
and he hopes to be among the last, of the 
patriot band that will give posterity a great, 
prosperous, undivided Union. May a grateful 
nation embalm the memories of her sons that 
bravely fought, and bled, and died, to perpetu- 
ate the Republic ; may no widow of a brave 
soldier seek alms on the highway, or his chil- 
dren need to beg their bread ; but honor, im- 
mortal honor be to patriots who rallied to their 
country's call, and went out as volunteers to 
drive back the foe ! We may meet many of 
these one-armed and maimed heroes in our way 



80 KILPATKICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

tlirougli life, and let us never forget to clierisli 
them with honor and esteem ; some, past our 
kindness now, sleep in forgotten graves. Oh, 
how many hearts, through the sad reliellion, 
have been totally crushed ! But ixod is with 
the right ; our cause is just, and we shall tri- 
umph. Many lives were sacrificed at an early 
period of the war, in the great battles of the 
Peninsula, and amid the pestilential swamps of 
Virginia, where McClellan so desperately strug- 
gled to maintain his own and his country's 
honor ; that he was not superhuman, the nation 
at length realized ; yet we think he gave the 
world evidence of possessing many of the attri- 
butes that go to make the great captain, though 
it was not his to command success. The leader 
of a mighty host, though one outnumbered, led 
his men with great valor, made a most masterly 
retreat from the York River to the James, and 
fully vindicated his fame in the great battles 
of Antietam and South Mountain. Burnside, 
Hooker, and Meade, all in turn assumed com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac. The first, a 
distino-uished soldier, was unsuccessful at Fred- 
ericksburg ; the next, who, with his men, after- 
wards scaled Lookout Mountain and astonished 
"the world, did not retire victorious from the 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 81 

bloody field of Chancellorsville. General Meade 
was now to command in that great fight that 
was to drive the defeated foe from the soil of 
Pennsylvania and Maryland. The soil had been 
desecrated by the tread of rebel soldiers, who 
ravaged the fields of these prosperous States? 
while the terrified inhabitants dreaded the ap- 
proach of the ruthless invader. But a day of 
retribution was preparing. 

Great changes had taken place in the army; 
the current of military events was varied. 
The Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretaiy of War, 
was succee'ded by Hon. E. M. Stanton, who 
continues ably to discharge the responsible 
duties of his hio-h station. The President had 
an able cabinet, and the efforts of the Govern- 
ment were wisely directed^ and accepted by the 
nation as an evidence that the rebellion T\"ould 
be crushed. 

In obedience to the call of the President, the 
governors of the different States responded with 
promptitude with men to ward off invasion, 
New York sent out her troops, New Jersey 
her hardy sons, and the patriotic Governor 
of Pennsylvania, Hon. A. G. Curtin, roused 
into action the militia for the defence of the 
State ; while the fortifications on the Susque- 



82 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

hanna formidably frowned on the invader, as 
significant of the warm reception he would 
meet from bristling bayonets and polished 
guns, should he insult the honor of the State 
by an attack on its capital. 

Thus the sound of hostile invasion grew 
nearer and nearer, more and more distinct. 
The indications, that Pleasanton was the first 
to observe, of Lee's intention were now fairly 
developed — the enemy was on our soil in large 
force. 

To meet him, the invincible legions that had 
seen service under McClellan and his succes- 
sors in command — all able and valiant leaders 
— now were about to fight on their own soil, 
where valor and patriotism rose emulous of the 
bravery of Spartan heroism at Thermopylae, 
or the noblest struggle that history records. 

We would wish to be able to do justice to 
the infantry that mainly composed the army at 
this great battle ; but our present task is 
chiefly with the cavalry forces. All fought for 
the same end, animated by the same impulses. 

The monuments that rose to departed heroes 
on this field, and the importance attached to 
success, evince the interest the nation felt in it ; 
for a mischance here might have blasted our 



KILPATRICK A]^D OUR CAVALRY. 83 

hopes forever, and entailed on posterity the 
misery of an oligarchy usurping supreme 
power, and riveting the cliain of the bond- 
man. Among tlie patriots that distinguished 
themselves on tlie occasion, as they have on all 
occasions during tlie war, were the surgeons^ 
whose skill and humanity ought never to be 
forgotten, for no class of men have served 
better or Avitli purer motives. The author 
Icnows this, being with them from tne begin- 
ning of the struggle, and being conversant 
with all the good done, all the difficulties sur- 
mounted, all labors performed. The annals of 
surgery in no nation can point out higher 
triumph in the art ; the hospitals have been 
founded on the best principles, and our nation 
has a right to feel proud of her medical men 
throughout the army. This testimony is forced 
from the author ; for, though this volume is 
only intended as a detail of military affairs, 
too high a tribute cannot be paid to men, who, 
had they lived in other ages, like some of their 
profession, would have been honored as deities. 
The rebel General Stuart did not cross the 
Potomac with the main army of Lee ; but, 
below Harper's Ferry, in the rear of our army, 
moved through Maryland a portion of his com- 



84 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

mand, passing near the city of Washington. 
He safely eluded tlie columns sent out to inter- 
cept liim, and, on tlie evening of tlie 29t]i of 
June, made his encampment five miles south 
of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 

Thus far his raid had been a success. But 
the following day he encountered obstacles he 
little expected. As before mentioned, that was 
the day on which General Kilpatrick had been 
put in command of a division of cavalry, with 
such men as Custer and Farnsworth to com- 
mand his brigades, and Pennington and Elder 
his artillery. 

The gallant General Farnsworth fell mortally 
wounded, a few days later, at the foot of Little 
Round Top, leading one of those daring cavalry 
charges which went so far towards saving the 
day at Gettysburg. The other three, Custer, 
Pennington, and Elder, made, by their deeds, 
during the next fifteen days, their names illus- 
trious. While Stuart was ravaging the country 
for miles above his camp, Kilpatrick, with his 
young command, was rapidly marching towards 
the scene of desolation. Stuart had learned 
that the rebel General Ewell, who, for several 
days, had been at the town of York, had 
already hastily retreated towards Gettysburg 



KILPATRIOK AND OUK CAVALRY. 85 

to join Lee, wlio was marcliiug for that point. 
This was unexpected to Stuart, and it necessi- 
tated a rapid movement on liis part. 

His object was, of course, to join tlie rebel 
army, and to do this without making a great 
detour^ he must march through Hanover. The 
General was aware of all these facts, and, 
although greatly outnumbered, boldly formed 
his command in front of the town of Hanover, 
determined to dispute the advance of the rebel 
chief. The two forces met at 8 a. m., and a 
desperate battle ensued. For hours it raged so 
fiercely that it was impossible to decide who 
would gain the day. Each in the fierce strug- 
gle put forth his mightiest efforts, and each 
seemed equally resolved to win or die. In one 
of the many charges made throughout the day, 
Stuart led in person, broke through our lines, 
and had penetrated to the very centre of the 
town, when General Farnsworth, at the head 
of the Fifth New York, charged him in front 
and flank, and he was quickly driven from the 
streets. This was the only time during the 
day that a single rebel soldier, save as a 
prisoner, polluted with his presence this loyal 
town. 

At 4, p. M., the Fifth and Seventh Michigan 



86 KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

came up fresli on the field, having taken no 
part in the fight, and were sent on the enemy's 
left. The leader waited till he saw the success 
of these two regiments, and then advanced his 
whole command. Stuart did not wait for the 
attack, but rapidly retreated towards York, his 
entire corps being thus whipped by a single 
division. The enemy's loss in this battle was 
very great; a battle-flag and a large number 
of prisoners were captured. Stuart moved 
rapidly by the town of York, and, by a long, 
circuitous route reached Lee's army near Get- 
tysburg, escaping the pursuers that were after 
him, and were again destined to meet him. 
On the morning of the first of July, Buford 
passed through Gettysburg, met and engaged 
the rebel advance, a few miles beyond, and, by 
hard and skilful figrhtino- held him in check 
until a portion of our army, under Howard and 
Reynolds, came up. The gallant Reynolds fell 
in this day's battle, generally lamented. 

An interesting scene presented itself as a 
portion of Buford's cavalry rode through the 
town. The young maidens of the place col- 
lected, dressed in white, and lined the principal 
streets on each side, waving flags and singing 
patriotic strains. Their sweet and melodious 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 87 

young voices rang fortli a glad welcome, and 
tlie cavalry, as in passing tlie Pennsylvania line, 
found tlieir spirits raised to the highest point 
of enthusiasm. 

These peaceful scenes, however, were soon to 
be startled with the thunder of artillery, and 
the town and vicinity to become a Golgotha, 
where many a gallant heart, "once pregnant 
with celestial fire," ceased its pulsations forever, 
and many a hitherto wakeful warrior " slept 
that sleep that knows no waking." Tread 
gently on this sacred spot, and, as the place of 
burial tells to what State belong the patriots 
whose blood that day flowed freely for their 
country, and whose bones rest in peace where 
they fell, let the fire of patriotism rise in the 
heart with a higher flame, and, quenchless, con- 
tinue to burn to all generations ! 

The author, as at Chancellorsville, was wit- 
ness to the scenes of this great field on our own 
soil. For three days the contest raged round 
the Pennsylvania College, whose medical de- 
partment has sent out many thorough medical 
officers to the service, and whose department 
of arts furnished many youths who took arms 
in their hands, ere this eventful day, to meet the 
enemy ; this college was a kind of centre, around 



88 KILPATEICK AND OUK CAVALEY. 

which, rolled the battle's wave and the work 
of death went on. 

As when some frightful conflagration rages, 
and the devouring element, now here, now 
there, breaks forth from smouldering ruins, so 
the dire and terrific battle raged, till the last 
sounds of strife died away, and left behind the 
ghastly sight of a bloody battle-field, strewn 
with the wrecks of shattered humanity; and 
the profound silence that remained was only 
broken by the heart-rending cries of the wounded 
and dying. Even on the first day the hospitals 
were filled with the wounded, and it soon be- 
came evident at what a sacrifice of life the inso- 
lent foe would be chastised and fitly punished, 
routed, driven from our soil, and his shattered 
columns be forced from beyond the Potomac. 

General Kilpatrick, who, at the quiet little 
town of Abbottsville, was resting his worn-out 
men and horses, after the hard fight with Stuart 
and the subsequent pursuit, heard, early on the 
morning of the 2d of July, the thunder of 
artillery, which opened up the fight at Gettys- 
burg on that day. 

The echoes of that first discharsre had scarce 
died away among the surrounding hills, when 
the clear notes of his bugles sent out the well- 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALKY. 89 

known and welcome sound, " To horse." Away 
daslied that splendid command, and, guided by 
tlie battle din, stopped not for any obstacle till 
it reached the scene of conflict. The sight pre- 
sented defies all description; and, indeed, the 
clash of great armies contending for victory is 
attended with such circumstances of confusion 
that baffles all attempts at regular order, in a 
series of events so thickly crowded together. 

But mortal eye never beheld a spectacle 
more absorbing than that which now greeted 
the sight of this gallant cavalry commander, 
who rushed his well tried battalions upon this 
field of blood, ready to take part, no matter 
how or at how much cost, in giving the enemy 
a Waterloo defeat. 

The re23utation of this General does not rest 
upon the deeds of this sanguinary conflict. 
Already the War Department knew his merits, 
and his friends, in the Senate and out of it, 
were aware of his prowess, his daring, and im- 
petuosity that knew no restraint. 

The author had that connection with the 
cavalry, at this period, that made him ac- 
quainted with the claims to distinction pos- 
sessed by every leader. He intends no com- 
pliment to the young General, no eulogy, no 

4* 



90 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

attempt at an exaggeration — but would be 
impartial ; and this feeling requires the admis- 
sion, that on the bloody field of Gettysburg 
Kilpatrick made efforts, seconded by his brave 
command, whose memory should never fade so 
long as there are young American soldiers to 
be stimulated by glorious deeds of heroism. 

In the absence of orders, his quick and al- 
most intuitive perception pointed out the place 
where his presence was most needed. He did 
not wait for specific orders ; he saw the enemy. 
Him to strike, so as to help the forces engaged, 
was the grand desideratum. He moved off, his 
rio-ht under General Farnsworth, to the risrht 
of our line, and engaged the enemy's cav- 
alry at Hunterstown, the left of Lee's line of 
battle. Till late in the night, long after the 
two great armies had ceased to struggle, the 
roar of his artillery, the wild shout of his charg- 
ing squadrons, and even the rattle of his small 
arms, as he continued successfully to battle 
with his old antagonists, Hampton, Lee, and 
Stuart, could be distinctly heard by the whole 
army, and told the Union General, as the noise 
of battle rolled in towards Gettysburg, that 
his right was safe. 

Now ended, with this battle on the right, the 



KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 91 

second day's struggle. The veterans of tlie 
Army of the Potomac had contended with 
great valor for two days, led on by those able 
chiefs, who still hurled them on the foe, and in 
the terrible contest never thought of yielding 
an inch, but, if needs be, laying down their 
lives a sacrifice at the shrine of our glorious 
Kepublic. ^ 

With many brave men, a considerable num- 
ber of gallant officers had fallen ere the sun of 
the second day, clouded with battle smoke, 
went down to rise the following day on a scene 
of carnage at the thought of which humanity 
recoils. 

The sun rose brisrht and clear on the morn- 
ing of the 3d of July — a day long to be 
remembered by a grateful people. The weary 
army, that for two days had struggled so hero- 
ically against overwhelming numbers, arose on 
the morning of this day, fresh from the 
night's rest, and, like a lion, shook itself for the 
fray. All night long, when the soldier slept 
on his arms, dreaming of home and friends, the 
leaders were busily at work strengthening their 
lines, and making those important changes 
which, combined with the heroic bravery of 
our men, gave to us the victory. Buford was 



92 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

sent to Westminster, Gregg's Cavalry moved 
to tlie right of our line, and Kilpatrick, 
strengthened by tlie Regular Brigade, silently 
left this point, marched all night, and at day- 
light took up his position on our extreme left, 
beyond Little Round Top, with orders to 
charge the rebel infantry should an ojjportunity 
offer. 

Every one has read in the public prints the 
details of the battle which lasted three days, 
and we shall only allude to that portion of the 
battle of the third day in which the cavalry 
took a prominent part. On the extreme right, 
the cavalry, under Generals Gregg and Custer, 
had a most desperate engagement with the 
rebel General Stuart's entire .corps, and 
gained in the end a most signal victory over 
him. Kilpatrick' s cavalry had been skirmish- 
ing with the enemy since 10 a. m., and by 
2 p. M. had forced its way far in upon the 
enemy's flank and rear, and was now ready to 
strike him. 

An opportunity so to do soon offered. It was 
at 4 p. M. that a heavy force of rebel infan- 
try moved out of the woods on the enemy's 
right, and rapidly passed toward the left of our 
main line of battle, with the evident inten- 



KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALKY. 93 

tion of turning our position on Little Round 
Top. 

The troops under Kilpatrick had drawn the 
sabre, and were about to charge tliis force in 
flank, when a second force equal in size to the 
first was seen rapidly approaching from the 
same direction, and a few minutes later a 
third line made its appearance. This was 
Longstreet's entire corps moving steadily for- 
ward to the charge. Having seen that if this 
charge was successful the day was lost, Kil- 
patrick resolved, no matter at what cost, to 
charge this formidable body of men in flank, 
and defeat, if possible, tbe rebel chiefs intention. 
No time was to be lost ; the Kegular Brigade, 
under General Merritt, was pushed well in 
upon the left, while General Farnsworth, with 
the First Virginia, Eighteenth Pennsylvania, 
and Fifth New York, was ordered to charge 
in flank the last of the rebel lines. This was 
General Hood's division, and had it not been 
for a low stone wall that intervened, this divi- 
sion would have been completely routed. As 
it was, our gallant cavalry rode over the wall, 
sabred the rebel infantry in the rear, and 
forced Hood to turn and face the wild rush of 
men and horse. Fresh regiments of cavahy 



94 KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

were now sent in, when one line after another 
of Hood's splendid division gave way. Our 
cavalry halted not till a second wall and fresh 
line of infantry was reached. The rebel charg- 
ing columns floated oft' towards the centre of 
our main line, and finally broke, and fled in 
confusion from under the terrible fire of ar- 
tillery which now rained upon them from a 
hundred guns. 

This was the last desperate effort of the rebel 
chief. Our tired and worn-out soldiers sank 
exhausted on the field so dearly won. 

In this day's fight the cavalry won undying 
honors, but lost some of the truest, bravest men 
for which a nation ever mourned. These names 
are too numerous to mention; but we must pause 
to pay a tribute to the memory of one, whose 
career, so brilliant and glorious, tells us, in tear- 
ful words, that he died too soon for his country's 
good. 

"Farnsworth" — so young, so generous, and 
so brave — of him Kilpatrick says, in his official 
report : 

"In this charge fell the brave Farnsworth. 
Short and brilliant was his career. On the 29th 
of June a general, on the 1st of July he bap- 
tized his star in blood, and on the 3d, for the 



it 




'':imm'ji 






yi'V; i 



KILPATKICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 97 

honor of his young brigade and the glory of 
his corps, he yielded up his noble life." 

We can say of him, in the language of an- 
other : " Brave soldier, faithful friend, great 
heart — hail, and farewell T' 



98 KILPATKICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Battle and Victory of Monterey. — Eighteen Hundred and Sixty 
Prisoners Captured. — Surprises and again Defeats Stuart. — 
Boonsboro' ; the Battle and Victory. —Enemy's Design. — 
Rapid March. — Kilpatrick Defeats the Rebels at Falling 
Waters. — Death of Rebel Major-General Pettigrew. — In Cam- 
paign, Four Thousand Prisoners, Nina Guns, and Eleven 
Battle-Flags captured. 

This important battle having ended in tlie 
victory of our arms, a general joy quickly dif- 
fused itself throngliout tlie nation, as tlie tele- 
graph announced the defeat of the rebel army 
and the news of their preparations to recross 
the Potomac, and place that river between them 
and our victorious forces. 

The nation breathed free once more, and 
nothing now remained to be done, on the part of 
the victors, but follow up their success and cut 
off the rebel retreat, inflicting yet greater loss 
on, or capturing, their broken and retreating 
colunms. Accordingly, a portion of Grregg's 
command was sent on the enemy's flank, in the 
direction of Chambei'sburg ; while Kilpatrick, 



KILPATRICK AI^D OUR CAVALRY. 99 

with his division and Colonel Hurey's brigade 
of Greo-o-'s division, was directed to move in 
front of the rebel army, destroy wagon trains, 
burn bridges, and hold in check, in every way 
possible, the retreating rebel army. At break 
of day, on the morning of the 4th of July, this 
officer put his column in motion, passed through 
Emmettsburg, and- marched for the nearest 
point on the Gettysburg and Hagerstown road, 
intending to cross the mountain at Monterey. 
Rapidly he had marched all day long, and the head 
of his column had arrived within a few hundred 
yards of the Monterey House, on the top of the 
mountain, when the enemy, who had been made 
aware of this movement, had sent artillery and 
infantry to defeat it in this narrow mountain 
pass, opened with artillery and musketry, dri- 
vinsr back the advance in confusion for several 
hundred yards. 

General Kilpatrick now found himself in a 
very critical position, and, possibly, most men 
might have lost their presence of mind, or at 
least the calm and confident expression which, 
as a leader, has so much influence on the troops 
in the hour of dano-er. 

Stuai"t attacked the rear, and the entii^e com- 
mand, in one column, was upon a long, narrow, 



100 KILPATEICK AND OUll CAVALKY. 

winding mountain road, with liigli, impassable 
bluffs upon tbe rigbt, and deep, broad ravines 
upon the left. And to add to the difficulties 
of the position, it was raining in torrents, and 
no object could be distinguished in the mid- 
nio-ht darkness. 

We do not hesitate in saying, and have good 
reason to know, that had any want of firmness 
on the part of the leader, or any indecision or 
vacillation appeared, and a mischance occur- 
red, this splendid command would then and 
there have been lost. 

But with unflinching and steady purpose, bold 
bearing, and a mind equal to the emergency, 
the General rode to the head of the column, 
reassured his frightened people, and, notwith- 
standing the intense darkness that hid friend 
from foe, made such skilful dispositions and 
then attacked the hidden foe with such impet- 
uosity that he fled in wild dismay, leaving his 
guns, a battle-flag, and four hundred prisoners 
in the victor's hands. 

The pass was gained, and Pennington's and 
Elder's guns were soon echoing and re-echo- 
ing through the mountain defiles. The ar- 
tillery opened thus on the flyiug columns of 
the routed foe, who, with wagons, ambulances, 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALKY. 101 

caissons, and tlie debris of a shattered army 
were rushing, in chaotic confusion, down the 
narrow mountain road, and scattering through 
the fields and woods on the plains below. 

The G-eneral, by this daring movement, had 
now placed himself in advance of the; rebel 
army, and all the following day was busily 
employed obstructing roads, pursuing and 
capturing detachment after detachment of the 
rebel troops scattered over the country, and 
burnino; wasron trains and other valuable 
property. In his offical report he says : 

" On this day I captured eighteen hundred 
and sixty prisoners, including many officers of 
rank, and destroyed the rebel General Ewell's 
immense wac^on train, nine miles lono;." At 
4 p, M. the same day, he met and defeated the 
rebel General Stuart, in an engagement at 
Smithbui'g, which lasted one hour and forty 
minutes. Stuart that night retreated to 
Hagerstown, and Kilpatrlck moved to Boons- 
boro', and encamped for the night. 

After disposing of his prisoners and captured 

' property to Major-General French, who was 

marching for, and whose advance had already 

reached. South Mountain Pass, Kilpatrick 

moved at daylight, on the morning of the 6th 



102 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

of July, to Hagerstown, surprised and defeated 
again the rebel General Stuart, who was forced 
to burn a large wagon train, to prevent its 
falling into our hands. Here the gallant Cap- 
tain Dahlgren, of whom we shall afterwards 
make mention, lost, his leg, leading a most gal- 
lant charge. 

Artillery firing was heard in the direction of 
Williamsport, and the messenger soon brought 
Kilpatrick word that this was General John 
Buford, who had crossed South Mountain Pass 
with his cavalry, and was now attempting to 
burn Lee's immense supply train, 2:>arked at 
Williamsport. Although the advance of the 
rebel infantry was known to be but a few 
miles off, and rapidly moving, Kilpatrick 
quickly advanced at a trot, direct from Hagers- 
town, down the road to Williamsport, uniting 
his forces with Buford's. Several hundred 
wagons were burned, and the whole train would 
have shared the same fate had it not been for 
the rebel infantry and cavalry, which now came 
up, and furiously attacked, in flank and rear, 
these two cavalry chiefs. Long and desj^erately 
did they contend with the overwhelming forces 
opposed to them — in fact, too long, for they 
were at one time completely envelojDed, and 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY, 103 

nothing but their splendid generalship, and the 
indomitable bravery of their officers and men, 
saved them from capture and annihilation. 
As it was, however, they successfully extricated 
themselves from their perilous position, re- 
crossed the Antietam in safety, and encamped 
on the opposite side. We had several desper- 
ately wounded in this battle, and the author 
can never forget the anxiety in moving the 
hospital for retreat. On the morning of the 
8th of July the rebel cavalry, under Stuart, 
supported by infantry, advanced on Boonsboro', 
from Williamsport and Hagerstowa, crossed 
the Antietam, drove our picket line, and at 
noon a furious battle was raging at Boons- 
])oro'. 

Buford had the right and Kilpatrick the left. 
The movements of the cavalry lines in this bat- 
tle were among the finest sights the author 
remembers ever to have seen. It was here he 
first saw the young General, and little thought 
that one day the deeds he saw him perform 
he would transmit to paper and to posterity. 
Here, all day long, the rebel and the Union 
cavalry chiefs fought, mounted and dis- 
mounted, and striving in every manner pos- 
sible to defeat and rout the other. The din 



104 KILPATRICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 

and roar of battle tliat from 10 a. m. until 
long after dark had rolled over the plains and 
back through the mountains, told to the most 
anxious generals of them all, Meade and Lee, 
how desperate was the struggle — Stuart and 
his men fighting for the safety of the rebel 
army, Buford and Kilpatrick for South Moun- 
tain's narrow pass. 

Just as the setting sun sent his last rays 
over that dusty battle-field, Buford and Kil- 
patrick were seen rapidly approaching each 
other from opposite directions. They met; 
a few haSty words were exchanged, and away 
dashed Buford far off to the right, and Kil- 
patrick straight to the centre ; and in less 
than twenty minutes, from right to centre, and 
from centre to left, the clear notes of the bugles 
rang out the welcome charge ; and with one 
long, wild shout those glorious squadrons of 
Buford and Kilpatrick, from right to left, as 
far as the eye could see, in one unbroken line, 
charged upon the foe. The shock was irresist- 
ible ; the rebel line was broken — the routed 
enemy confessed the superiority of our men, as 
they fl.ed from the well-fought field, leaving 
their dead and dying behind them ; and our 
heroic chiefs led back their victorious squad- 




ra 






M 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 107 

rons, and, wliile resting on their laurels, gave 
their brave but wearied troops a momentary 
repose. 

The following day, Meade's glorious army, 
the heroes of Antietara, South Mountain, and 
Gettysburg, debouched from South Mountain's 
rugged pass, moved out upon the plains below, 
and, on the evening of the 9th of July, en- 
camped on the banks of the Antietam. 

At 4 p. M., July 10th, Buford's Cavalry 
moved to Sharpsburg, the left of our line of 
battle, and Kilpatrick took a position on 
the extreme right, covering the road from 
Hagerstown to Gettysburg. 

July 12th, this General, supported by Briga- 
dier-General Ames' infantry, of Howard's corps, 
drove the enemy out of and occupied Hagers- 
town, thus contracting our lines many miles. 
For several days past, Lee had been making 
nnost desperate efforts to throw a bridge over 
the swollen waters of the Potomac, and escape 
to Virginia. In the mean time, however, he had 
taken up a strong natural position, and had 
spared no pains in adding to its strength by 
constructing lines of formidable earthworks. 

On the 13th, General Meade finally decided 
to assault the rebel position. Orders to the 



108 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

various corps had been issued, the necessary 
dispositions completed, and the attack was to 
have been made on the 14th of July. 

During the night of the 13th, General Kil- 
pati'ick, while examining his picket line, became 
convinced, from certain well-known indications, 
that the enemy was leaving his front. He at 
once dispatched a courier to the head-quarters 
of his chief with this information, and then, 
without waiting for orders, assembled his com- 
mand at 3 o'clock A. M., was in motion, and at 
7 A. M. charged and drove a portion of the rear 
guard of the enemy into the Potomac at Wil- 
liam sport. He then pushed rapidly down the 
river, and came upon the enemy's rear guard, 
one mile from Falling Waters, consisting of a 
division of infantry, under the command of 
Major-General Pettigrew. So quickly had 
Kilpatrick come upon this general, that he was 
taken totally by surprise, his artillery captured ' 
before it could be placed in position, and Petti- 
grew himself killed in a sabre charge made by 
Major Weber, of the Sixth Michigan. 

For a long time did this veteran division of 
infantry struggle to beat back the gallant cav- 
alry, but finally broke and fled, in wild disor- 
der, unable longer to resist the rapid and per- 



KILPATRICK AND OUlt CAVALllY. 109 

sistent charges of our men, and the destructive 
fire from Pennington's artillery. 

In this battle, upwards of fifteen hundred 
prisoners, two guns, and three battle-flags were 
captured, and the ground was covered with 
killed and wounded rebels. Thus ended this 
fight at Falling Waters. 

The enemy had been driven from the free soil 
of the North ; and we challenge the world to 
produce a career more brilliant than that of the 
young cavalry General, whose deeds we have 
recounted from the moment he gave the inso- 
lent rebel his first check at Hanover Farm, 
through the fifteen splendid victories which 
followed in the space of so many days, up to 
the moment when, at Falling Waters, he struck 
him a last terrible and parting blow. 

In his official report he says : " In this cam- 
paign my command has captured forty-five 
hundred prisoners, nine guns, and eleven battle- 
flags !" 

The splendid career of our cavalry under 
Custer, Merritt, and Torbett, in the Shenandoah 
Valley, may equal, but does not surpass, the 
brilliant record of Kil23atriek's Third Cavalry 
Division in this campaign. The author, as well 
as the candid reader, cannot solve the mystery 



110 KILPATEICK AND OUK CAVALRY, 

that another star was not added to the one this 
general so well earned ; but if our conquering 
young hero had but one star, we shall show, in 
the following chapters, that it was in the as- 
cendant, rose high in the firmament, the wonder 
and admiration of the nation. 

The enemy was now chased from the free soil 
which he had so insolently entered a few weeks 
]:)efore. The audacity of the rebels was con- 
founded, their forces routed, their hopes blasted. 
Had the expedition of Lee proved successful, 
had the skill of our commanders and bravery 
of our soldiers been unequal to the task, hopes 
might have been given to the false confederacy, 
and its chief been interfering with the laws that 
govern free men, or been dictating terms in 
the national capital. Fancy may paint to the 
thoughtful what must have ensued, had a rebel 
general, flushed with victory, captured the cities 
of Baltimore and Washington, New York and 
Philadelphia, and issued his edicts to the nation 
from its own capital. Yet such an event might 
have happened had Lee's invasion proved a 
success ; for, that he had friends and partisans 
in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, who will 
be bold enough to deny ? The truth is, had he 
not been beaten at Gettysburg, the event, in all 



KILPATliICK AI^D OUR CAVALRY. Ill 

probability, might have been fatal to freedom. 
The events herewith connected are of great in- 
terest to the future historian, and, in time, the 
battle of Gettysburg, with all the secret history 
of the rebellion, will have been written out. 
And an interesting history it will make. The 
importance of the cavalry will then be more 
fully seen than now, and reasons strong and sat- 
isfactory appear why, at this present period, 
many facts were kept unrevealed from the public. 
The enemy was now in rapid retreat through 
Virginia, pursuing his way through the valley 
towards Staunton and Gordonsville. His loss 
was immense, and he departed from free soil 
greatly weakened and severely punished, and 
only too glad to escape in a manner very differ- 
ent from the audacious way in which he first 
crossed the Potomac. The people became, more 
united than ever before, and new recruits were 
everywhere received into the Union ranks, and 
continued to swell the numbers devoted to the 
streno;th of the Government and the salvation 
of the Union. Many men thought the rebellion 
would collapse; but the authorities at Wash- 
ington persevered in their efforts to crush it 
out, and Congress adopted the measures calcu- 
lated to attain the desired end. 



112 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER V. 

West Point. — Description of Military Academy. — Why West 
Point Graduates were not always Loyal. — Educational 
Course. — Reputation of Professors, etc. 

General Meade in a short time followed up 
Lee's army, as it was not the intention of the 
leaders, who had driven the rebels across the 
Potomac, to allow them any time for rest, but 
to keep them constantly on the move, and watch 
them with a vigilant eye. There is, however, a 
limit to the endurance which men and horses 
are capable of, and, beyond this, the overtaxed 
powers give way, and exhausted nature claims 
her rights. The great mental and physical ex- 
ertions of General Kilpatrick, continued through 
a series of battles, and rapid movements, 
marches, and evolutions, might astonish any 
one capable of judging the severity required in 
the performance of duties with rigid military 
exactness, continued night and day. 

It will not })e surprising that even his iron 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAYALUY. 113 

frame was not proof against the fatigues of camp, 
prolonged through the hardships and sufferings 
of a soldier's life for a protracted period in the 
events before recorded. Few there are, except 
those who have had experience, who know how 
much privation the brave soldier and his gen- 
eral suffer in the toils of the field, on the rapid 
march, the hasty bivouac, the broken slumbers, 
the wakeful watching, and the scanty fare — all 
submitted to without a murmur Ijy the veteran 
who sleeps on his arms in the face of the enemy, 
and endured with magnanimity by his general, 
who often never closes his eyes in " Tired nature's 
sweet restorer — balmy sleep." The exhausted 
energies of General Kilpatrick required a season 
of rest, which a troublesome inflammatory com- 
l)laint and general debility rendered imperative. 
His division, therefore, was placed under the 
temporary command of General Custer, and 
parting with his command for a season, he bent 
his way to New York and the Highlands of the 
Hudson, and at West Point spent some weeks 
of rest, enjoying the tender assiduities of his 
friends. The division, meantime, under Custer, 
marched with the main army of the Potomac in 
purs ait of Lee, and then encamped at the ro- 
mantic and pleasant town of Warrenton. 



114 KILPATRIOK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

Willie General Kilpatrick was enjoying the 
rest and invis-oratino; breezes on the banks of 
the Hudson, and receiving the congratulations 
of his admirers, the command was receiving 
those sui)plies necessary to an army ; clothing, 
equipments, arms, and subsistence for the next 
campaign, were being furnished in abundance. 

The cavalrv rested and recruited its streno-th, 
till, duly prepared. General Pleasanton made 
his splendid dash into Culpepper. This will 
be duly described in a future page; but we will 
at present take a look up the Hudson, where 
the General is on leave. While he is restino; at 
West Point, among scenes so beautiful, almost 
without a parallel, we may linger with him 
awhile, to see how, having hung up his sword 
in the peace of the domestic home, where the 
agreeable society of his beautiful and accom- 
plished wife and prattle of his noble l)oy — the 
j)ledge of love and affection — soon restored his 
spirits, improved his health, and filled his be- 
ing with higher aspirations. 

You, husbands and fathers, who hav^e parted 
with your loved ones, and gone forth to do 
battle for the Union on the dan2:erous fields of 
strife, who have visited in dreams the scenes 
dearest to you on earth, and, in fancy, pressed 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 117 

the loved ones to your heart, but whom the 
midnio-ht sound of the bug;le rouses from the 
hasty bivouac to drive back the foe — you can tell 
what joy fills the soul when a leave of absence 
releases you for a time, and, not in vision, but 
reality, you strain the loved ones to your breast 
in a long and fond embrace. 

The mighty waters of the Hudson, rolling in 
silent grandeur past the great City of New 
York, visited no happier household than that 
of the young General whom we have followed 
from the tented field to the peaceful shades of 
home. We are pleased to see him happy, and 
shall not approach too near, but, leaving him to 
his paradise with his Eve, content ourselves with 
marking the place where so many associations of 
interest abound. Come with us, reader, to this spot 
of the nation's care, where so many gallant spirits, 
like Kilpatrick, learned those great military 
principles which have since made them famous. 

That we may have, at one sweep of the eye, 
a scene beautiful, grand, magnificent beyond 
description, let us climb Fort Putnam's rugged 
side, and stand upon her crumbling battle- 
ments that for years have slowly yielded stone 
and mortar to driving storms and winter frosts, 
till now but little is left of that old structure. 



118 KILPATJIICK AND OUll CAVALltY. 

save ru2:o;ed lines of fast criimblino: walls, and 
huge, sliapeless masses of earth and stone. Dear 
to us is this old fort — proud relic of the glorious 
past ! As we stand here, on this airy mount, 
and gaze down upon the scene below, what 
grand old memories of the past come rushing 
back upon the mind ! Here once centered the 
nation's hopes; here an Arnold Hatched his 
treason ; and here the great Washington breath- 
ed forth his patriotic prayers. Where the white 
tents of the cadets' encampmejit now are seen, 
once stood the rude huts of the soldiei^ of the 
Revolution., 

And the splendid and formidable forts only 
serve to show the stranger where those old re- 
doubts and earthworks stood, that once made 
West Point the bulwark of the Hudson. 
■ What an appropriate spot for the nation's 
military school, as the young cadet paces his 
lonely rounds, or wanders amid towering monu- 
ments, fitly erected here in honor of the heroes 
of the past ! 

What high hopes and resolves must fill his 
breast, and what aspirations must be his to fol- 
low in their footsteps and emulate their re- 
nown. In this place, a few years ago, young 
Kilpatrick came as an humble ^^plche,^'' passed 



KILPATKICK AXD OUR CAVALRY, 119 

tiiroiigh the severe ordeal of military training, 
and finally graduated honorably to himself and 
friends. 

But two years have passed, and he returns 
to his alma mater again, a general^ to receive 
the congratulations of his friends ; aod, what 
w^as more, the approbation of his instructors 
and professors, who, next to him, were proudest 
of his honors. 

West Point delio^hts to honor those of her 
sons who are true to her and a credit to the 
nation. How so many of her children, nursed 
on her lap, imbibing nutrition from her j)re- 
cepts and nestled in her bosom, could take the 
wrong path, prove recreant to her teachings, 
and arm against the old flag, it is difficult to 
her loyal sons to comprehend, and is to be ac- 
counted for only by those fatal heresies and 
delusions of Southern supremacy and superior- 
ity, with which the minds of the youth of the 
South were so thoroughly imbued from their 
earliest susceptibilities of instruction. 

The honorable reception accorded to General 
Kilpatrick, on his return to West Point, proves 
the kind interest taken by all in his fame, suc- 
cess, and welfare. The respect and congratula- 
tions of the professors were an honor to any 



120 KTLPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

one. We Lave only to allude to Professoi" 
Bartlett, the man of science, whose books on 
Mechanics and Philosophy have earned him a 
wide reputation ; Professor Mahan, the great 
engineer and genuine American, who, at the 
Court of St. James, so nobly sustained our na- 
tional character ; Professor Church, the distin- 
guished teacher of Mathematics, whose Calculus 
and Analytical Geometry are so highly valued 
as text-books ; Professor Weir, whose artistic 
skill the author, like everybody, had occasion 
to admire in the paintings in the national cap- 
itol ; the kind and warm-hearted chemist. Pro* 
fe=;sor Kendricks ; Professor Angell, the gentle- 
manly and accomplished French scholar and 
instructor — so kind, and truly esteemed by the 
cndets; Professor French, Ethical Instructor 
and Chaplain of the Post, who united the young 
graduate in holy matrimony with her he loved, 
and a few months later j)erformed the melan- 
choly office of reading the burial service over 
her grave. These, and many more, received 
their student back again with open arms, and 
rejoiced over his success. 

Thus, the Pligher Mathematics, Mechanics, 
and Philosophy, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geo- 
logy, Civil and Military Engineering, Military 



KILPATKICK AND OUIi CAVALIIY. 121 

Science, French, Spanish, International Law, 
Belles-Lettres, Loo-ic, Mental and Moral Science 
— subjects so well taught here with great abil- 
ity, in a sj^ot which Plato might have chosen 
for the Academus — all these subjects, and many 
more in which he was well versed, again 
brought to mind and convinced the subject of 
this volume how much advantage, in common 
with others, he had reaped at this celebrated 
National Academy. 

From intimate relations with General Kilpat- 
rick, we are well acquainted with his devotion 
to his alma mater, and of the great respect he 
entertains for this celebrated institution, which 
has sent out no truer son, nor one more fitted 
to reflect the honors that its reputation and 
scholarship entitle him to. And not on the 
battle-field only has he done credit to her teach- 
ings. On one of his visits near Kutger's Col- 
lege, N. J., that institution conferred on him the 
degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts in a 
manner highly flattering and duly appreciated. 

He was about once more to buckle on his 
sword and return to the field. His health 
was restored, and his active spirit led him again 
towards it, in the path of duty. His compan- 
ion, so fondly cherished, he was destined to see 

6 



123 KILPATHICK AND OUIl CAY ALKY. 

110 more ; lie misrlit become lioiiored and re- 
nowned, wear laurels of victory and be praised 
for success, but they would not be shared with 
her much longer ; and, vain renown ! the fond- 
est hopes of his heart and pride of his life were 
destined, like the lovely flower nipped by the 
frost, or broken from th.e parent stem, to decay, 
to die ! 

The General, on his return to liis command, 
still at Warrenton, was received with joy and 
enthusiasm by his brave troops ; and, res23on- 
sive to the clarion-note of war again sounding, 
he was prepared once more to lead his gallant 
squadrons to the field. 

The following passage from the valedictory 
address to whicli allusion has been made, will 
show his principle of action, and clearly point 
out his selection of the true course which alone 
leads to greatness : 

" Fi-iends of the corps, you of tlie second class, and who are 
soon to graduate, and you who have years yet before you : let 
me say, for your encouragement, that I have often thought, as 
one difficulty after another has been met, and year after year 
has passed slowly by, if I would ever receive a reward for all 
my labors. 

But now I answer, Yes ! the intelligent and smiling faces of 
my comrades answer, Yes ! Persevere, then, gentlemen. Your 
time will come, and so will your reward. The future is before 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALKY. 123 

you as well as me. All of us thiuk of it, and attempt to trace 
from time to time the course we would follow ; yet how few of 
us will ever realize the bright anticipations of worldly honors 
or military glory. 

And, suppose we should ? What then ? What would it all 
amount to ? What is all the false glory worth that clusters for 
a time about the corrupt political hero's brow ? Who would 
give aught for the empty shout of a populace, and who envies 
the tottering position gained through false ambition and a 
people corrupt?" 

These sentiments were sucli as in the com- 
mencement of his career animated the young 
orator. They formed a basis of action, and 
seeing the path of true glory, sought it in the 
service of his country, 'neath the old flag, while 
some who heard him missed the way, and 
pierced their breasts wdth many sorrows. 



121 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Intended Movements of Armj- of Potomac. — Pleasanton ordei'ed 
to cross the Rappahannock and engage the Rebel Cavah-y. — 
Our Cavalry again proves its Superiority on the Plains of 
Brandy Station. — Desperate Battle and Victory at Cul- 
pepper, etc. — Melancholy Domestic Affliction. 

The rebel General Lee now Lad his Lead- 
quarters at Orange Court-House, and tLe main 
body of Lis army was encamped on tLe south 
side of tLe Rapidau. Stuart, Lowever, was 
encamped about Culpepper, picketing tLe Eap- 
paLannoek. A general advance of our army 
was decided upon about tLe middle of Sep- 
tember. General Pleasanton was directed to 
cross tLe RappaLannock, and engage tLe rebel 
cavalry. Accordingly, Le broke camp at an 
early Lour, and crossed tLe RappaLannock at 
tLree points : Gregg at SulpLur Springs, 
Buford at RappaLannock Bridge, and Kil- 
patrick at Kelley's Ford. 

On tLe plains of Brandy Station tLese vari- 
ous columns united. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY, 12.") 

Kilpatrick arrived first and had a sharp 
skirmish with the enemy. Pleasanton, with 
Buford's and Gregg's divisions, pushed straight 
on Cul2:)epper, driving the enemy before him, 
while Kilpatrick was directed to move off 
across the country, and attack Culpepper in 
the direction of Stevensburg. 

Stubbornly the enemy fought, and finally, 
within less than a mile of the town, succeeded 
in checking the advance of Buford and Gregg. 
For a long time, at this point, the enemy 
bafiled every attemj)t to dislodge him from his 
strong position ; but finally, when all began to 
wonder what had become of Kilpatrick, his 
fiags appeared on the hills far to the left of 
Cul2:)epper, and directly his artillery opened 
on the enemy's rear, who at once fell back into 
the town. 

Giving them no time to form, or make new 
dispositions, he charged them with the First 
Vermont, Harris Light Cavalry, Fifth New 
York, and First Michigan. The town was 
carried, in spite of a heavy fire from the artil- 
lery; three Blakely guns were captured, and 
the enemy chased in total rout from the 
streets, General Custer leading in person the 
First Vermont. 



126 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVAL31Y. 

A few moments later, and Buford's and 
Gre2:2:'s divisions also came into tlie town. 
Buford passed rapidly out on the road to- 
wards Pouey Mountain, and Gregg pursued 
the enemy to Rapid an Bridge. The following 
day Pleasanton occupied tlie various fords on 
the Rapidan. 

Again had our cavalry beaten the Southern 
chivalry, on the same broad plains that wit- 
nessed their defeat a few months before. The 
Army of the Potomac now advanced, crossed 
the Rappahannock, the Union general making 
bis head-quarters at Culpepper, while the 
cavalry guarded the flanks and rear. 

Gregg took up his position at Rappahannock 
Bridge, Buford at Stevensburg, and Kilpatrick 
the right, with his head-quarters at James 
City. In October, Lee, who had been encamped 
at Orange Court-House, crossed the Rapidan, 
moved to Madison Court-House, and, by a 
flank movement to our right, forced Meade to 
retire, first to tke Rappahannock, and after- 
wards to Centreville, the enemy covering the 
rear. 

"We are pleased now to recount one of tbe 
most splendid achievements of the war. As 
the army fell back from Culpepper, Major-Gen- 



KILPATIiICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 127 

eral Pleasanton, who had previously given his 
orders, remained at that point to watch and 
direct the movements of his cavahy. Grregg, 
who had been brought up and sent forward 
towards Cedar Mountain, to assist in the retro- 
grade movement, fell back to Culpepper, passing 
out on the road towards Sulphur Springs. An 
hour later, and KHpatrick reached Culpepper, 
and slowly retired towards his old aud glorioua 
field, Brandy Station, marching on a line with 
Buford, who was now falling back from Kacoon 
Ford, and had at this time reached Stevens- 
burg, being heavily pressed by the rebel 
cavalry under Fitzhugh Lee. Kilpatrick had 
scarce moved a mile from Culpepper, when his 
rear was fmiously attacked by Hampton's 
division of cavalry, conunanded by General 
Stuart in person. 

General Pleasanton was with Kilpatrick's 
command on this occasion ; General Davis's 
brigade had the right, and General Custer's the 
left. Slowly, but safely, this command fell 
back, under the direction of these celebrated 
cavalry generals. Buford had been forced to 
fall more rapidly l^ack, before the overwhelm- 
ing forces of Lee, than had Kilpatrick ; so that 
when the latter reached his old battle-field of 



128 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALIIY. 

Brandy Station, lie found tliat Buford had 
already passed beyond towards tlie Rappahan- 
nock. His right was entirely exposed, In. fact, 
long lines of rebel cavalry were already forming 
in his front, and Fitzhugh Lee's batteries, from 
the hills on the right, soon opened on his flank 
with terrible effect. Buford, unaware of Kil- 
patrick's position, had fallen back, and the rebel 
General Fitzhugh Lee's division of cavalry held, 
in three lines, the only road over which our 
troops could pass. 

To add to the peril of the situation, Stuart 
had rapidly passed from the rear to Kilpatrick's 
left, and was fast enveloping his entire com- 
mand. Our troops, now alarmed at the formi- 
dable dispositions being rapidly made to secure 
their capture, cast their anxious eyes on their 
lion-hearted leader, and when they saw how 
coolly he gave his orders, how boldly he rode 
on the elevated ground, in full view of friends 
and foes, his battle-flag proudly floating by his 
side, they no longer doubted the issue of the 
contest ; their brave hearts, that for a moment 
ceased to beat, again sent the life-blood coursing 
through their veins, and with pale, compressed 
lips and flashing eyes waited for the order that 
brought three thousand blades leaping from 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 133 

their scabbards ; and, as tlie glittering brands 
danced out upon the sunlight, one long, wild 
shout of proud defiance rolled out from that 
body of brave men, telling the host of rebel 
horsemen that their task had scarce beo:un. 

In three heavy columns, of a thousand each, 
the intrepid leader formed his men, and slowly 
moved down upon the foe, while the heavy line 
of skirmishers on front, flanks, and rear, held 
back the eager enemy, and while from out the 
intervals the batteries of Pennington and Elder 
opened huge gaps in those strong rebel lines. 
General Custer and his staff rode upon the left. 
General Davis on the right, while Generals 
Pleasanton and Kilpatrick rode in the centre. 
When within a few hundred yards of the rebel 
lines, our band struck up our great national air, 
" Yankee Doodle," and a hundred bugles rang 
forth the charge. The boasted chivalry of the 
South, who there had gathered confident of 
victory, had. not the moral courage to witness 
long this vast aiTay of flashing sabres, but 
broke in wild dismay, and opened wide a 
road, over which passed our gallant squadrons, 
uniting ^sdth the men of Buford on the hill 
beyond. 

The rebel cavalry, ashamed of their own 



133 KILPATKIOK AKD UUP. CAVALKY. 

coAV'ardly conduct, reorganized, and now com- 
menced tliat last great cavalry battle on tlie 
plains of Brandy Station, wbicli was to decide, 
and forever, tlie question of superiority. 

No one, save those wlio witnessed that fight, 
can begin to imagine the deeds of daring done. 
Pleasanton, Buford, Kilpatrick, Custer, and 
Davis, again and again in person led the 
charges; imtil long after night the contest 
lasted, when the foe, tired and exhausted by 
his fruitless efforts, ceased his attacks, and our 
cavalry, unmolested, gathered up their dead 
and wounded, and in safety crossed the Rap- 
pahannock. 

Now the army fell back to Centreville, 
Buford moving with the train, Gregg in the 
rear of the centre, and Kilpatrick on the left 
of Major-General Warren's Corps, while the 
enemy moved to Bristow Station and com- 
menced the destruction of the railroad. After 
waiting several days for the enemy to attack, 
General Meade finally concluded to advance. 

Accordingly, he put his army in motion, and 
found that the enemy had ci'ossed the Bap- 
pahannoek. The rebel cavalry, however, under 
Stuart, had remained near Buckland Mills, and 
here Kilpatrick, who had the advance of our 



KILPATRICK AXD OlUl CaYALKY. 133 

army, had a severe engagement with a whole 
rebel corps, and here he met his first and only 
reverse, and only saved his command by the 
great personal efirorts he made that day. He 
succeeded, however, in reaching onr lines in 
safety and without the loss of a single gun, 
with his organizations preserved. His com- 
mand that day did not number two thousand 
effective fighting men, while the enemy had 
upon the field two large divisions and sixteen 

gUDS. 

Our army now moved to the Rappahannock, 
while the enemy encamped on the opposite 
bank. 

On the first day of November our army 
crossed the river, and the enemy fell back 
through Steven sburg, and Culpepper, to and 
across the Rapidan, and went into position on 
the opposite side. Buford moved to Culpep- 
per, Kilpatrick to Stevensburg, and the army 
went into winter-quarters near Brandy Station. 

Here the cavalry remained until the grand 
movements in the spring, under Lieutenant- 
General Grant, and nothing occurred worthy 
of interest save the noble effort made by Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick to I'escue our prisoners on 
Belle Isle and the various prisons of Rich- 



134 KILPATPJCK A^'D OUR CAVALRY, 

moud. This we will proceed to describe after 
we speak of that sad event in his life which 
at this time took place, and cast a sombre shade 
over the success of that victoroiis and popular 
General. The melancholy event to which we 
allude is the loss of her whose name is in- 
sciibed on his banner and in his heart. His 
beloved wife, Alice, the guiding star of his 
life, for whom, perhaps more than for himself, 
animated and cheered by her inspiring spirit, 
he sought glory and military renown. 

Pass we over the sorrows of his heart whom 
she left to mourn, and the tearful sadness of 
those her attached friends, and the bereaved 
hearts that followed and committed her lovely 
clay to the last resting-place, where, in a few 
short weeks, the darling boy, too, slept by his 
mother's side ! Her memory is embalmed in 
the hearts that loved her, and recollections, 
like the fragrance of flowers strewn on the 
place of her rest, draw forth the tributary tear. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 135 

LINES WRITTEN BY MISS JENNIE GEAY, 

UPON THE DEATH OF HER FRIEND, MRS. GENERAL KILPATRICK. 

The chief wins laurels for his brow, 
Bis name is heard ou every tongue; 

His deeds of glory, written now. 
Shall by immortal bards be sung. 

"What shall that proud, high spirit tame, 

E'en to forget his native land ? 
He battles not for wealth or fame ; 

What, then, shall palsy that young handj 

In yonder rocky dell there pines 

The cherished idol of his soul ; 
She weeps and prays beneath the pines, 

Nor can her cherished boy console. 

Sweet pitying angels o'er bend ; 

Send me to guard my love, she cries, 
When gently life's fair veil they rend, 

And to her Lord the Seraph flies. 

He saw her not ! the lightning stroke, 

That paralyzes heart and brain. 
Upon that Warrior's head has broke. 

Oh ! what can thrill and fire again ? 

Alas ! what were the laurels that decked 
and were yet more profusely to adorn the 
young General's brow? Wife, child, all were 
gone ; but here, with a brighter lustre, shone 
out the inherent love of country and human- 
ity so deeply implanted in a wounded and 



136 KILPATKICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

ci'iislied heart! For the noble spirit of General 
Kil23atrick made a mighty effort worthy of 
true greatness. 

Here was the sublime spectacle of a triumph 
of the mind — of the soul over circumstance — 
giving the power, with the help of the Al- 
mighty, to overcome private griefs, rise above 
personal sorrow, and to conceive the noblest 
idea of a lofty and humane purpose. He com- 
passed the intention, and endeavored to execute 
the grand design of liberating our prisoners, 
whose known sufferings were the people's grief^- 
and restoring them again to friends, home, and 
liberty. 



KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 137 



CHAPTER Vn. 

Dreadful Condition of Union Prisoners in Richmond Prisons. — 
Attempt made for their Liberation. — " Second Richmond 
Raid." — Unsuccessful. — Rebel Inhumanity and Cruelty. — 
Amply avenged. 

The restraint of personal freedom is hard to 
be borne, and nothing, perhaps, weighs heavier 
on the human heart than deprivation of lib- 
erty and incarceration in a prison-cell. The 
prison at Rome did more to break the fierce 
spirit of Jugurtha, probably, than all the perils 
he ever encountered. The very name of the 
Bastile is calculated to chill the heart of the 
feeling, and fill the mind with a shuddering 
but indefinite apprehension. 

The author has felt a deep interest in visit- 
ing that ancient fortress, built by the Norman 
conqueror to awe his subjects, and could not 
see, without emotion, the little prison-cell that 
confined the great Raleigh for years. Instru- 
ments of torture are yet to be seen in this 



138 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

tower, and thougli not now used, they tell a 
tale of the past. 

When the " benevolent Howard" visited the 
prisons of Europe, he found thousands of hu- 
man creatures living in a condition of fearful 
degradation, hopelessness, and utter wretched- 
ness — who dragged out a miserable existence 
till relieved by kind death, that freed them 
from the yoke of bondage. 

Our prisons now are upon a scale of human- 
ity and liberality, and confinement from the air 
and sun, the green fields, and pleasant objects 
that delight the eye, are among the worst 
things a prisoner usually has to dread. 

One would think the day had gone by in 
which prisoners would meet with ill treatment 
scarcely less cruel than the instruments of tor- 
ture in past ages. Civilization, in this latter 
half of the nineteenth century, might enable us 
to indulge the hope that cruelty to prisoners 
would be a thing unheard of; but, if all the 
history about our brave men and officers cap- 
tured by the enemy were fully disclosed, it 
would draw tears from every eye and a com- 
passionate sigh from the hardest heart. How 
many would be found to have languished and 
died, for mere want of food, in the filthy 



KILPATRICK AND OUli CAVALRY. 139 

precincts of the Libhy Prison, the execrable 
atmosphere of Castle Thunder, or the yet more 
fearful confines of Belle Isle ! Many a shadow, 
like the ghost of Hamlet's father, might truly 
say of the secrets of his prison-house: 

"I coulda tale unfold, whose lightest word 
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, 
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, 
Thy knotted and combined locks to part, 
And each particular hair to stand on end, 
Like quills upon the fretful porcupine!" 

This is no exaggeration; confinement, filth, 
and starvation sent many to their long homes ; 
and, if liberated, they returned, mere skeletons, 
to their friends and loved ones, in time only to 
die. 

The rebels, in many cases, stripped the pris- 
oners of almost all their clothing, and often left 
them entirely destitute. Hardy and powerful 
was that frame that could bear the trying 
ordeal, of which, thous-h not so lono- confined 
there as others, the author can speak feelingly, 
having also been a captive in the filthy Libby 
Prison. 

It seems that the longer the war lasted the 
worse treatment did the prisoners receive. The 
poor creatui'es seemed to experience no pity or 



140 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

compassion from tlieir cruel and liard-hearted 
jailors, and many died actually for want of 
food. We do not mean to say tliat in every 
case the treatment was bad. We experienced 
courtesy, and received proper supplies at Staun- 
ton and at Lynchburg, and acknowledged tlie 
same in the public papers at tlie time of release. 
For a long time we contended that the accounts 
of bad treatment of Federal prisoners was per- 
haps exaggerated ; but the truth became, alas ! 
only too evident, and with shame we are com- 
pelled to record it, that the manner in which 
the rebels treated the poor prisoners in their 
power, is a disgrace to humanity and a blot and 
stigma on the false Confederacy forever that 
can not be effaced. 

At this period, numerous prisoners who had 
fought for the preservation of the Union on the 
glorious battle-fields the memory of which will 
render their names immortal in the annals of 
their country, were now captives among the 
cruel foe, and spent theii* wearisome days and 
nights in pining and languishing confinement, 
shut off from their brave and victorious com- 
panions, and with but feeble hopes of ever see- 
ing their homes again, or once more basking in 
the sunlight of liberty. No! they felt that 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 141 

these blessings were not for them, and tlie hor- 
rors of their imprisonment intensified those sad- 
dening thoughts. 

Prompted by feelings of humanity and com- 
passion for fellow-soldiers thus suffering under 
the brutality practised upon them by a cowardly 
and cruel foe, capable of inflicting the most 
atrocious and inhuman barbarities upon men, 
whose valor as soldiers, only too well known 
to their captors, as well as the treatment always 
accorded by a civilized enemy to his prisoners, 
entitled them to proper care and protection. 
General Kilpatrick determined to effect their 
release. 

The difiiculties in the way, however, were so 
great as to seem almost insurmountable, and 
the gallant leader well knew' the perils to him- 
self and men that strewed every foot of ground 
with ambush, captivity, and death, and might, 
in the failure of the enterprise, consign them all 
to the tender mercies of the enemy, more fear- 
ful than the liveliest fancy can portray. The 
men were willing to follow their leader, despite 
dangers, toil, or death, reliant on his prowess 
and sldll, prepared to gain the glorious end or 
nobly perish in the attempt. 

Self reliant, and fired with noble feelings, he 



142 KILPATRICK AXD OUR CAVALRY. 

animated his proud cavalrymen with liis own 
spirit, which he breathed into them till the fire 
of patriotism, glowing on the altar of their 
hearts, shot out with enthusiastic blaze, and, 
when the kindled flame had risen to the desired 
point, waved his well-tried sabre at the head of 
this brave band of picke-d men, and off they 
started in the perilous but determined path of 
death or glory. Some have made the assertion, 
and not without due foundation, that General 
Kilpatrick is ambitious. Such he is for name, 
for fame, and for the success of the cause in 
which he draws his sword. We could wish 
that more of our generals were like him in this 
respect; for, is it not possible that some may 
think far too much of ease and comfort, and too 
little of glory ? But, if he has any enemies, and 
few men are without some, the most bitter of 
them cannot say that, on this occasion, he was 
actuated by any other motive than that of per- 
forming a great and good act — an act that would 
bring down fervent, heart-felt blessings on his 
head from his suffering comrades in prison and 
their anxious friends at home. 

Never did Christian knight of old ride forth 
to battle with the fierce infidel, on the plains of 
Palestine, with purer, holier purpose, unmixed 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 143 

witli self or self-interest, tlian did lie wlio risked 
life, liberty, and fame, to give freedom to others. 

It is not our purpose to state in tMs work, 
how, or why, or tlirougli whose neglect, this 
great expedition did not succeed. The time has 
not yet come for the secret history of this war to 
be made public; but the want of success attend- 
ing this noble enterprise is not to be attributed 
to any fault, or want of skilful and daring efforts, 
on the part of its leader. We could, perhaps, 
point out where the difficulty lies, being in pos- 
session of data; but our object is to give a plain 
narrative of the events attending this grand 
design, whose want of success, to all impartial 
readers, will not lessen the moral heroism the 
humblest private in those ranks may be said to 
have possessed. The idea originated with Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick, and, on being submitted, in all 
its plans and details, met the approbation of the 
Honorable Secretary of War and of the Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

It was indeed a hazardous enterprise; but 
the great object to be attained justified the at- 
tempt, and every one knew and admitted that 
if any one could succeed, it was he who now 
risked the reputation he had before, on many a 
dangerous field, so dearly won. 



144 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

On the twenty-eiglitli day of February, 1864, 
just as tatoo was sounding througli the camps 
that dotted the plain and hill side, and the Army 
of the Potomac was about to sink to rest, the 
daring leader of this undertaking, with four thou- 
sand men of tried bravery, bade adieu to kind 
friends and comrades of the army, silently left 
their camp about Stevensburg, and marched for 
Ely's Ford, on the Kapidan. 

Rebel pickets watched this ford, and lined 
the opposite side. Colonels Dahlgren and Cook 
had the advance, with five hundred chosen men. 
When within a few hundred yards of the ford, 
the column halted. A few low, hasty orders 
were given, and then, silently, fifty resolute men 
were seen to separate and move off in the dii^ec- 
tion of the river. For upwards of an hour the 
column halted, and officers and men, in low whis- 
pers, asked each other : " why don't we move ; 
what can be the matter ?" 

Soon a number of dark objects were seen ap- 
proaching from the direction of the ford. A 
horseman rode out from the column, and the low, 
firm challenge, "Halt! Who comes there?" 
brought back the quick, sharp reply : " Hogan, 
General ; the rebel picket is all right." This 
explained the delay. The daring and skilfal 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 147 

scout, Hogan, liad crossed Ms men at different 
points above and below the ford, one at a time, 
and silently surrounded and captured, without 
firing a gun, tlie rebel captain, lieutenant, and 
and twenty-two men, stationed tliere to guard 
the ford and give alarm. It may interest the 
reader to know that the same scout — whose ro- 
mantic and daring history would fill a volume 
— ^took prisoners, during this raid, at Frederick 
Hall, consisting of a rebel colonel, two majors 
four caj^tains, seven lieutenants, and four or 
five men. This was done by a complete sur- 
prise, with twenty men only, the enemy having 
sixty pieces of artillery and a regiment of in- 
fantry within three hundred yards. The scout 
is at this moment escaped from prison, having 
seen some of the most astonishing adventures. 

The column now rapidly but silently crossed 
the river, marched all night, and at daylight 
was passing through Spottsylvania Court- 
House, and was now twenty miles in the rear of 
the entire rebel army, having passed in safety 
through its lines, with that large body of horse- 
men, ambulances, and artillery ; and not a shot 
had been fired to alarm the vigilant sentinel or 
tell the rebel chief that four thousand Yankee 
horsemen, with artillery, were marching through 

6* 



148 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

his camp, wlio, ere the setting of another sun, 
would be thundering at the gates of his capital 
city. 

The most difficult feat was now accomplished. 
Kepressing the exultant shout that his men 
seemed determined to give when they learned 
their g-reat success, the leader dashed on towards 
Beaver Dam Station, on the Virginia Central 
Railroad. At twelve o'clock heavy reports were 
heard in the direction of Frederick Hall Station, 
informing the General that Dahlgren had struck 
the railroad near that point, and was using tor- 
pedoes in the destruction of the road. 

Colonels Dahls^ren and Cook had been in ad- 
vance with five hundred men, to destroy the 
railroad and telegraph near Frederick Hall, and, 
if prudent, attempt to capture a large park of 
artillery encamped at that point ; moved to 
Goochland-Court-House, crossed the James River, 
thence down the south bank, destroying the 
Bologne arsenal, across James River, leading 
into Richmond, and just below Belle Isle, at 
nine o'clock the following morning. This ac- 
complished, the prisoners on Belle Isle could 
easily join Dahlgren in the city, and assist in 
forming a junction with the General, who in- 
tended to enter the city at the same time by the 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY, 149 

Brook Pike. Kilpatrick readied and destroyed 
Beaver Datara Station, four p. m., and went 
into camp for a few liours at eight p. m., nine 
miles from Ground Squirrel Bridge, on tke South 
Anna, and on the road to B-ichmond. 

Learning that a heavy force of the enemy 
were guarding the railroad bridge over the 
South Anna, as well as the roa 1 bridge, a few 
miles above, four hundred and fifty men, un- 
der Major Hall, were sent to make a feigned 
attack on this force, divertins; the attention of 

' CD 

the enemy from the main columns, which safely 
crossed the South Anna, at daylight had 
crossed the Fredericksburg Railroad, and reach- 
ed the Brook Pike, and at 9 a. m. had boldy 
attacked and carried the enemy's first line 
of works, and from a point less than two miles 
from the city the artillery had opened on the 
enemy's works. 

This was the signal ageed upon ; but no 
answering signal came. The general had reso- 
lutely and skilfully carried out the plans 
matured long before he left his camp at Ste- 
vensburg, and, as he promised, had reached, 
and fired a shot, on the hour agreed upon, at 
the city of Richmond. 

And as the echoes of that shot reached the 

6 



150 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

ears of tlie great arch-traitor, first informing 
him and his trembling guards that an enemy 
was thundering at the gates of his city, it 
also reached the ears of seventeen thousand 
brave soldiers, who, for long months, had en- 
dured every suffering in Libby Prison, Castle 
Thunder, and at Belle Isle. 

Shout after shout sent back the echo, and 
prayer after prayer went up from the hearts 
of those anxious, grateful men, that the efforts 
made for their deliverance might be crowned 
with success. 

Several hours were now passed in recon- 
noitring the works, which were found to be 
formidable and . well manned ; and it having 
been finally learned that the enemy's infantry 
from Bottom's Bridge, which it was expected 
would be detained at that place, had actually 
been brought to the city, and were now march- 
ing into position to dispute his advances, and 
hearing nothing fi'om Dahlgren, General Kil- 
patrick, at dark, withdrew, crossed the Chicka- 
hominy at the Meadow bridge, and went into 
camp. 

A heavy storm of sleet and hail, and, at 
times, snow, now set in, drenching to the skin 
the tired and worn-out soldiers. But, despite 




« 



Q 



W 






KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 153 

fhe fatiguing marcii and the want of co-opera- 
tion, the unsuccessful attempt to enter the city, 
and the cold, driving storm, the General deter- 
mined to make one more attempt to carry off 
our prisoners. 

His scouts had come in, reporting that they 
had actually been within the city, had seen 
Libby Prison and Castle Thunder, and that 
all the troops that could be spared had been 
sent to guard the city in the direction of the 
upper James and Brook Pike, and that there 
was no force of the enemy, save a small picket, 
on the Mechanicsville road. A thousand men 
were now selected, and, in two detachments 
of five hundred men each, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Preston, First Vermont, and Major 

, Fii^st Maine, were to enter the city by 

the Mechanicsville road, overpower the small 
force about the prisons, liberate our men, and 
then fall back upon the main force, which was 
to be within supporting distance. This well 
devised plan, which must have been a success, 
was about to be undertaken, when the rebel 
General Hampton, with a large force of in- 
fantry and cavalry, furiously attacked our 
camp with musketry and artillery, and obliged 
the leader of the expedition to abandon all 



154 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

hopes of entering tlie city. For several liours 
the desperate and confused iight continued. 
The enemy was finally repulsed, however, and 
our exhausted soldiers moved to Old Church. 
Here the General remained in camp all day, 
waitino; for the return of different detachments 
sent out. 

All came in save Dahlgren, and, finally, hear- 
ing that he had crossed the Pamunkey, and was 
moving to Gloucester Point, Kilpatrick slowly 
moved towards Yorhtown, reaching that point 
in safety, having been five days on the march. 

Colonel Dahlgren failed to accomplish the 
task assigned him, in consequence of the treach- 
ery of a guide, who, for his pei^dy, suffered a 
traitor's death. 

Nothing now was left for Dahlgi-en to do 
but form a junction with his general. 

Rapidly he proceeded in the direction of 
Richmond, hoping to be in time to assist in 
the attack. He arrived, however, too late. All 
day, however, he skirmished with the enemy, 
and was within a few miles of Kilpatrick when 
the fight took place between Hampton and the 
former. 

In the darkness of that night, with about 
one hundred men, Dahlgren, with Cooks, became 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 155 

separated from liis main force. This, under 
Captain Mitchell, Second New York Cavahy, 
pafely reached the main column. 

Dahlgren and Cooks crossed the Pamunkey, 
and afterwards the Matapony, and, step by 
step, gallantly fought their way to a point 
three miles from King and Queen Court- 
House. 

And here occurred one of the most cowardly 
as well as cruel acts that ever disgraced any 
nation or any people, and that which will ever 
stand forth a black spot upon the history of 
Virginia and of the once boasted chivalry of 
the South. 

Here Dahlgren's little band of heroic men, 
whose fortitude and gallantry should have ex- 
cited admiration, even in the breasts of their 
cruel foes, were surrounded by citizens and 
soldiers — Dahlgren, with many of his men, 
cowardly murdered, and the remainder, all save 
seventeen out of eighty-nine, were relentlessly 
hunted, down and some fearfully mangled and 
killed by bloodhounds, and the rest taken 
prisoners. 

Colonel Dahlgren's body was stripped of his 
clothing, while yet alive, his little finger was 
severed from his hand to secure a diamond 



156 KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALEY. 

ring, the present of a near and dear friend. His 
body was buried in the middle of the road, as 
suicides were of old. It was afterwards taken 
up and carried to Richmond, the alleged rea- 
son being to identify it as the body upon which 
(to fire the Southern heart) it was falsely as- 
serted certain orders and papers were found, 
containing directions to kill Jeff. Davis and 
cabinet, and burn the city, of Richmond. 

The body of this brave boy, who fell in so 
holy a cause, now sleeps in an unknown grave. 
His cruel death, and the ignominy heaped uj^on 
his lifeless body by the traitors of the South, 
meant to disgrace him, has only made his 
memory immortal, and the name of DAHLGREisr 
has since rung forth on many victorious fields, 
the battle-cry of Kilpatrick and his men. His 
fall, and the treatment of the brave Lieutenant- 
Colonel Cooks, and his five officers, have been 
more than avenged. The dark, broad track of 
desolation that now alone remains to mark 
the wild ride of Kilpatrick through the State 
of Georgia, which we shall soon describe, and 
the bloody track yet to be made, will cause the 
terrified citizens of Virginia to meet him at the 
borders and beg for mercy. The spirit of Dahl- 
gren will, indeed, have been amply avenged. 



KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 169 



CHAPTER VIII. 

General Kilpatrick joins Sherman. — Assigned to important 
Cavalry Command. — Great Success in many Battles. — 
"Wounded. — Eeco vers. —His Battles and Victories. — Prepa- 
ration for the famous Expedition through Georgia. 

Geisteeal Kilpatrick returned to his com- 
mand witli at least tlie proud satisfaction of 
having done all in the power of man to accom- 
plish a noble end. That he failed was beyond 
human foresight to prevent, and his command, 
in greeting his return, felt proud of his efforts, 
perhaps as much as if success had crowned 
them; for, 

" "Who does the best his circumstances allow, 
Does well, acts nobly ; angels could no more." 

The celebrity of this grand ride will be refer- 
red to with pride as long as the American 
Republic cherishes the grand principles of lib- 
erty. With the command he remained till 
ordered to report to Major-General Sherman, 



160 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

commancliDg tlie military division of tlie Mis- 
sissippi. 

In fhis place, events were preparing that 
made his services important. The mighty 
army that had triumphantly beaten back the 
foe on the field, under able leaders, now driving 
all before them, was the army which had 
covered itself with renown in the many hard- 
fought battles that were to dispute the advance 
of the Union forces between Nashville and 
Chattanooga. The latter place ours, the army 
fought its way under Sherman with great suc- 
cess, and the rebels were defeated in every 
instance, placing that great General in a promi- 
nent point of view before the nation, and send- 
ing his fame throughout the world. It was 
such a man as General Kilpatrick that was 
wanted at the time such a series of move- 
ments by cavalry were required as might in- 
sure success. 

But the General who had been so widely 
known as a cavalry leader in the Army of the 
Potomac, and who therefore stood so high in 
the estimation of all, was now about to break up 
the much-loved associations of so long a period 
of friendship and kindly feeling, and the mu- 
tual endearments which continued associations 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 161 

in weal and woe produce ; with these tlie word 
of parting was one of deep mutual regret. He 
parted with them, however, and set out, in 
pursuance of his order, with the firm resolve 
to do as he had done — strictly perform his duty 
to his country, and aid, with all his ability and 
experience, the great chief who now was mak- 
ing history so rapidly and doing so much to 
crush out the rebellion. The General reported 
at Nashville, Tennessee, and was assigned to a 
cavalry command, and in the front, where 
fighting was to be done. He had not long to 
to wait. Several severe skirmishes with the 
enemy were successful, and the officers and 
men soon began to find they had a general at 
their head who knew how to lead them on to 
victory. 

He began to animate them all with the same 
spirit he infused into the cavalry he commanded 
in the army he had left. 

When the grand armies under Sherman 
moved Kilj)atrick led the advance, with that 
portion of the army under General Hooker. 
He crossed Taylor's Ridge, driving the enemy's 
cavalry back to Buzzard Roost, through Snake 
Creek Gap, and opened up communications at 
Villenue with Major-General McPherson, com- 



162 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

manding tlie Army of tlie Tennessee. At tlie 
request of tliat officer, lie was directed by the 
General-in-Chief to co-operate with the army of 
the Tennessee in its movement on Kesaca, 
through Snake Creek Grap. Here he made 
several bold reconnoissances, and finally, when 
General Sherman made his grand move on 
Resaca, General Kilpatrick again led the 
advance. Every soldier of the army who saw 
that splendid command pass out on the morn- 
ing of that day could tell, by the determined 
looks of the men, that bold, daring deeds would 
soon be done. The General was never known 
to look so full of fight as on that day, while, 
dashing to the front, with his banner proudly 
waving to the breeze and his splendid staff 
about him, he passed his warm though new- 
made friend, the gallant Major-General Logan. 
Each touched his hat to the other, and 
Logan cried : " Give them h — 1, Kilpatrick." 
" Where are you going to, General." He re- 
plied, "No skirmishing to-day; but sabre 
charges alone shall be made." A mile further 
on, and the foe was met. The Tenth Ohio 
was ordered to draw sabres and charge. Gal- 
lantly the order was obeyed. The enemy 
broke, and never ceased their flight till they 



KILPATKICK AND OUE CAVALKY. 165 

met the rebel infantry advancing to their sup- 
port. Kilpatrick had been dii'ected to drive 
the enemy from the cross-roads about a mile 
and a half from Resaca. He directed Colonel 
Smith, commanding one of his brigades, to 
charge and drive the enemy from the cross- 
roads. The charge was made, but our men. 
fell back before the heavy force that met them. 
The General rode on the field and met his 
troops falling back before the rebel infantry 
now advancing. Ordering up a fresh brigade, 
he rallied the troops, and in one headlong 
charge rode upon the rebel infantry. The ene- 
my was driven back, the important point gained 
and held, and the work assigned to the cavalry 
was successfully accomplished. 

We have thus seen, the usual success 
attended this gallant commander on these 
fields of glory as well as in Virginia, and the 
trying scenes he passed through in the Army of 
of the Potomac. 

In this last wild charge, so grand and so 
successful, he who was the life and spirit of the 
cavalry was borne fainting from the field, 
desperately wounded by a rifle-ball, which en- 
tered at the groin, and, wonderfully escaping 
the large vessels, made its exit at the hip. 



166 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

The same officers and men that an hour before 
had gayly waved him on, now sadly, sorrow- 
fully gazed on his pale face and blood-stained 
garments, as he was borne to the rear in an 
ambulance. 

Colonel Murray now assumed command, 
which he continued to hold about a fortnight, 
when he was succeeded by Colonel Lowe, who 
held it all the long months of the illness and 
convalescence of the General. Nothing of 
importance was done by the cavalry in the 
meantime, and the command lay at Cartersville, 
Georgia. 

On the thirteenth day Kesaca fell, and Sher- 
man's grand army swept on till the Chatta- 
hoochee was crossed and Atlanta invested. 

General Kilpatrick had not yet entirely 
recovered, and was still walking on crutches, 
when, at his beautiful cottage on the Hudson, 
he read in the daily papers that Atlanta must 
fall in a few days. Despite the warning of his 
skilful surgeon, through whose exertions his 
wound was rapidly healing, and notwithstand- 
ing the entreaties of friends, he crossed the 
river, and the first train that passed carried with 
it the youug General, impatient for the field. 

All along, at the principal towns on the 



KILPATEICK ATTD OUE CAVALRY. 167 

line of railroad, from West Point to Cincinnati, 
he was surrounded and welcomed by liis 
friends, and in a few days had reached his 
comm£ind at Cartersville, and marched rapidly 
for the front. He himself, yet unable to ride 
on horseback, rode in a carriage fitted up for 
him by his command. He reached the Chatta- 
hoochee, and took up his quarters at Sand 
Town. 

Here, by the directions of the General-in- 
Chief, he was busily engaged in organizing 
and fitting out a cavalry force for an expedition 
in the rear of the rebel army. Many miles of 
the Augusta railroad had already been de- 
stroyed, and the West Point railroad had been 
struck at several places, a few days previously, 
by General Kilpatrick, on his first arrival at this 
point. Consequently, the rebels had but one 
railroad running from Macon to Atlanta over 
which to bring their stores, of which, it was well 
known, they had but twenty days' supply on 
hand. If these could be destroyed, the enemy 
would be forced to evacuate Atlanta. General 
Kilpatrick was instructed to make the attempt. 
With two divisions of cavalry and eight 
pieces of artillery, numbering in all four thou- 
sand men, he left his camp at Sand Town, just 



168 KILPATEICK AND OUR CA VALET. 

as mght set in, broke througli tlie rebel cavalry 
lines near Fairburn, crossed the West Point 
railroad, and at 4 p. m. of the next day, 
after most severe fighting, reached the Atlanta 
and Macon Railroad, and occupied the place. 
Here, for several hours, nearly his entire com- 
mand was busily engaged tearing up and 
destroying the railroad track and burning 
public property. 

At 11 p. M. the enemy made a furious attack 
on the troops with infantry and cavalry, and 
forced them to cease the destruction of the 
road, and take up their arms for battle. 

The enemy was repulsed; but he now 
occupied a position between the General and 
the direction in which he wished to go. Not 
knowing the strength of the enemy, he left 
their front, and made a rapid detour in the 
direction of McDonough, hoping to strike the 
railroad farther down, and thus to place the 
enemy in his rear before he should be aware 
of his movement. But the enemy, marching 
on interior lines, was enabled to meet him at 
Lovejoy's Station. And here a most desperate 
battle ensued, and at one time the enemy had 
completely surrounded Kilpatrick, with in- 
fantry, cavalry, and artillery, and relying on 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 169 

the vast number tliey had brought against him, 
confidently expected to capture his entire 
command. But they had labored under a 
great mistake. He determined to cut his way 
out. 

He massed his men in six columns : Colonel 
Minty's Brigade, First Division, had the right ; 
Colonel Murray's Brigade, Second Division, had 
the left of the first line of columns ; Colonels 
Long and Jones' Brigades held the rear, while 
our eight pieces of artillery were rapidly firing 
upon the enemy. 

The charge was sounded, and our men rode 
over the rebel barricades, sabering the men in 
the rear, capturing four pieces of artillery and 
three battle-flags, and a large number of 
prisoners. 

After charging over the enemy, the General 
reformed his brigades and divisions, and fell 
slowly back towards McDonough's, severely 
repulsing such attacks as were made upon his 
rear. 

He crossed Cotton Indian Kiver and South 
River the following morning, and returned to 
our lines at Decatur, having made a complete 
circuit of the rebel army. 

This was a most daring as well as successful 



170 KILPATRICK AND OUK CA VALET. 

raid, and tlie information it gave the General- 
in-Cliief enabled him to make that great flank 
movement to the rear of the rebel army, giving 
us Atlanta, the great crowning act of Sher- 
man's splendid campaign. 

In this flank movement, with which the 
world is familiar, the cavalry under General 
Kilpatrick operated in front and on the flank 
of the Army of the Tennessee, Major-General 
Howard commanding, and was greatly distin- 
guished for its gallant conduct during the entire 
movement. 

After the fall of Atlanta, our anny once 
more settled down to rest, and the cavalry took 
up its position on its flanks. 

Nothing now occurred worthy of notice, 
till Hood, the rebel general, made his reckless 
movement to flank Sherman out of Atlanta, 
when the cavalry kept an eye upon his 
motions, and had several severe skirmishes 
with the enemy. 

The Second Division, Colonel Minty, had a 
severe engagement with the enemy's cavalry 
near Grove, gaining a complete success, and 
capturing two pieces of artillery. General 
Sherman, who had closely followed the enemy, 
and delayed his march until Major-General 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 171 

Thomas had ample time to collect and organ- 
ize a force sufficient to meet liim, returned to 
Rome, and commenced the organization of 
that army which has since travelled three 
hundred miles through the very heart of 
Georgia, and finally occupied her capital city, 
Savannah. 

The preparations for this important expedi- 
tion were now making with great rapidity, and 
a review was made by General Kilpatrick of 
the fine troops composing his command. He 
expressed himself much pleased with the disci- 
pline of the men, and the restraint in which 
they were held by the gallant officers who com- 
manded them. 

Some days after, a review of the cavalry was 
again made by General Sherman, who spoke in 
the highest terms of the manner in which the 
troops performed their evolutions, and was 
known to declare, that with their help, and 
that of their gallant leader, he had no doubt of 
being able successfully to carry out the immense 
enterprise on which he was now about to enter. 
The men looked well, and were in high spirits, 
and their appearance on the field was one of 
imposing magnificence. That their bravery was 
equal to any emergency, and that the fortune 



172 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

of their general was in the ascendant, we shall 
find as we proceed to trace their course, step by- 
step, from Marietta to Savannah, the great city 
of the South. 



KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALKF. 173 



CHAPTER IX. 

Preparations for the Great Expedition. — General Kilpatrick's 
Instructions and Organization of Command. — Defeats the 
Eebel Cavalry, under Wheeler, at Jonesboro'. — Destroys 
Cotton and other valuable Eebel Property along the March. 
— Battle at East Macon. — Destroys Railroads, etc. — Repulse 
of Wheeler's entire Force by the Sabre in Battle at Gris- 
wold. — Arrival at Milledgeville. — Union Prisoners removed 
from Millen. — The General attacked and cut oif by Wheeler 
with a Superior Force. — Fights his way out through the 
Bravery of his Men. — Gives Wheeler a Severe Repulse near 
Buckhead Creek. — Wheeler takes up a Strong Position at 
Waynesboro'. 

On tlie 30tli day of October, 1864, General 
Kilpatrick, having received instructions from 
General Sherman, who commanded the military 
division of the Mississip}3i, made, at Marietta, 
Georgia, a concentration of the division under 
his command. He lost no time in fitting it out 
for a long and rapid march through the enemy's 
country ; and for a matter of such moment, only 
a few days being given, his time was busily 
occupied in making such an'angements as were 
necessary at the very shortest notice. 



174 KILPATKICK AIsTD OUR CAVALRY. 

There was plenty of work on hand. Horses 
had to be obtained, as many of his men were 
dismounted, or had animals totally unfit for the 
toils of a severe campaign; equipments were 
wanted ; arms and clothing were needed ; and 
a thousand other things by way of preparation 
against need, which might be felt where the 
demand for articles could meet no supply. It 
was necessary to call in regiments and detach- 
ments, which the requirements of the service 
had somewhat widely separated. 

By the dint of labor and perseverance on the 
part of the general and all his officers, the entire 
command was ready for the field in little more 
than one week; and several re2:iments beino; 
added, the entire command was organized into 
two brigades of two thousand five hundred men 
each, forming, for its number, one of the best 
cavalry commands ever sent out on an expedi- 
tion. The First Biigade, under command of Col- 
onel Murray, consisted of the Ninth Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry (Colonel Jordan), Fifth Kentucky 
Cavalry (Colonel Bald^^in), Thii'd Kentucky 
Cavalry (Lieutenant-Colonel King), Second 
Kentucky Cavalry (Captain Foreman), and 
Tenth Wisconsin Light Artillery, commanded 
by Captain Beebe. 



riLPATIilCK AXD CUE CAVALKY. 175 

The Second Brigade, commauded by Colonel 
AtHnSj consisted of his own regiment, Ninety- 
second Illinois Mounted Infantry (Lieutenant- 
Colonel Van Buskirk), Tenth Ohio Cavaln* 
(Lieutenant-Colonel Sanderson), Fifth Ohio 
Cavaliy (Colonel Heath j, Ninth Ohio Cavalry 
(Colonel Hamilton), Ninth ^Michigan Cavalry 
(Colonel Acker), and First Ohio Cavalry Squad- 
ron, commanded hy Captain DazeL 

The officers of the Division were in\T.ted to 
spend a social evening at Division Head-quaitei's, 
where they enjoyed a pleasant hour in company 
with theii' leader, and had their patriotism 
inflamed by one of his eloquent speeches, in 
which he set forth the object of the anticipated 
expedition in such glowing words as did much 
to produce an es^yrit de corps and that concert 
of action so important in military matters. 

The momin2" of the fourteenth day of Novem- 
ber is memorable as the date of breaking up the 
encampment at Marietta, Georgia. The night 
previous the numerous fires along the line of rail- 
road indicated with what thoroughness it had 
been destroyed ; and the luiid glare of burning 
houses lit up the midnight sky, and showed 
that the Rubicon was crossed. The entire force, 
consisting of five thousand five hundred men, aU 



176 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

effective, and six pieces of artilleiy, marclied tlie 
entire day, and having reached Atlanta, biv- 
ouacked for the night. The strong fortifications 
of this place, the numerous lines of earthworks 
seen on the march, the trees bearing the traces 
of bullets or broken with shot and shell, the 
desolate or destroyed habitations, and the nu- 
merous graves, all told the tale of war's dreadful 
havoc, and the cost to our troops of every foot 
of ground from which they had driven the re- 
tiring foe. 

Here the plan of the expedition unfolded the 
intentions of the General-in-Chief The com- 
mand was to march to Milledgeville, the capital 
of the State, and move on the right of the Army 
of the Tennessee, the right wing of the army. A 
feigned movement was to be made on Forsyth, 
and after crossing the Ocmulgee Hiver a feint 
was to be made of attacking Macon, the Georgia 
and Central Kaih^oad to be struck as near Macon 
as possible, and to fall back in the direction of 
Gordon, thoroughly destroying the railroad. 
General Kilpatrick was to wait till the infantry 
came up, and report to the General-in-Chief at 
Milledgeville. 

In accordance with these instructions, which 
were to be caiTied out in seven days, Kilpatrick 



KILPATRICK AINTD OUR CAVALRY. 177 

left Atlanta November IStli, and, having 
crossed Flint river, occupied Jonesboro'. It was 
reported that pai*t of General Wheeler's cavalry, 
and the Georgia militia, under command of Gen- 
eral Cobb, were at Lovejoy Station. The next 
morning the advance of Wheeler's cavalry was 
met and repulsed, and he was found in line of 
battle in the old rebel fortifications thrown up 
by the army of General Hood, on its retreat 
from Jonesboro' some time previous. Their 
works were charged and carried by the troops 
under Colonel Murray, who recaptured two 
three-inch rifled guns lost by General Stoneman, 
killing and wounding a large number of the 
enemy, and forcing them, in great confusion, to 
retreat to Bear Creek Station. Here Wheeler 
attempted a halt, with the intention of making 
a stand; but Colonel Atkins ha v ins; now come 
up, charged him vigorously with the Tenth Ohio 
Cavalry, broke his line, and forced him, with the 
Georgia militia, from the field, till he halted 
fourteen miles distant, at the town of Griffin. 

Kilpatrick having got rid of the enemy for 
the time being, and intent on destroying as much 
rebel property as possible, and particularly cot- 
ton, cotton-gins, and other property of great 
value to the bogus Confederacy, divided his com- 



178 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

mand, and marclied his troops on two roads. 
Having made a feint as if Forsyth was his object, 
and assuming tliat the enemy was deceived, he 
moved rapidly to Planters' Factory, and cross- 
ing the Ocmulgee, reached Clinton on the 17th 
of November, at which place he learned that 
pai*t of Wheeler's force had crossed the river 
near Macon, and now confronted him. Ad- 
vancing towards Macon, he met • and repulsed 
Wheeler's cavalry, and driving him across Wal- 
nut Creek, assaulted and carried a portion of 
their works, old Fort Hawkins, about East 
Macon. The fighting was done by the Tenth 
Ohio Cavalry and Ninety-second Illinois Mounted 
Infantry, these regiments having the advance, 
and the fighting and bravery displayed called 
forth praise from their leader. The energy and 
skill of Colonel Atkins, commanding the Second 
Brigade, are much commended by his chief 

The command encamped for the night on the 
railroad and the road leading from Macon to 
Milledgeville ; Walnut Creek was picketed, and 
the entire night was spent in destroying the 
railroad, by a force of one-third the whole com- 
mand. Already Captain Ladd, with a detach- 
ment of the Ninth Michigan Cavaliy, had 
reached the railroad at (xriswold Station, and 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 179 

captured thii-teen cars, freighted witli engines^ 
driving-wlieels, and wheels and springs. The 
station, a ]3istol and a soap and candle factory- 
were destroyed or burned. In a "battle which 
took place next day at Griswold Station, every 
attack of the enemy, by infantry and cavaby, 
was repulsed. A few days later Wheeler ad- 
vanced with his entire cavaby corps, in addition 
to which he had three brigades' of infantry, and 
confident in his strength he attacked the Union 
pickets, which he drove in, as also the skirmish 
line. But his efforts were in vain, for he was 
finally checked and driven back by the Ninth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Colonel Jordan, 
and the Fifth Kentucky, commanded by Colonel 
Baldwin. The principal weapon used in this 
engagement was the sabre. The infantry, under 
General Walcot, having come up, drove the 
enemy beyond Griswold Station. On the same 
day Colonel Atkins, commanding Second Bri- 
gade, had a severe engagement with the enemy 
on the road leading from Macon to Milledgeville, 
and kept him from molesting our trains, then on 
the road between Clinton and Gordon. 

The command had now reached Milledo-eville, 
the capital of the State, and at this place rested 
a few hours, during ^vhich supplies were ob 



180 KILPATEICK AND OUE CAYALRY. 

tained. This town is pleasantly situated on the 
Oconee River, and is a place of some importance. 
The Legislature had been in session here a short 
time before, and left every thing in confusion. 
Books, official papers, bills before the Legisla- 
ture, the recent message of Governor Brown, 
and a host of curious papers, were scattered 
through the rooms of the capitol. The capitol 
building was situated near the arsenal, and 
when the magazine in the latter was blown up 
shared the same fate. It was a matter of some 
regret, perhaps, to destroy an edifice so stately, 
but, no doubt, it was a military necessity. 

General Kilpatrick, agreeable to instructions, 
had met the General-in-Chief at Milledgeville, 
and was ordered to move rapidly towards Millen, 
and set at liberty the prisoners that were said to 
be confined theve. Accordingly he made a rapid 
movement towards Auo-usta, and crossing^ the 
Ooreechee River at the shoals reached the rail- 
road at Waynesboro'. The preceding day. Cap- 
tain Est'^'s, Kilpatrick's Assistant Adjutant- 
General, in command of the advance, had de- 
stroyed part of the railway at Waynesboro', and 
bui'ned a portion of the railroad bridge over 
Briar Creek. 

The column had been attacked several times 



KILPATRICK A1S"D OUR CAVALRY. ^Ql 

in flank during the marcli, and it Avas evddently 
tlie intention of tlie rebel general to harass 
Kilpatrick as mucli as possible as he advanced, 
to destroy him, and then he would have it all 
his own way with the supply trains of the 
army; yet no immediate signs had, up to 
the present, manifested an intention of any 
very vigorous attack. Skii^mishes on the flank 
and rear had not been attended with any very 
serious result, though it was apprehended that, 
at some point on the march, the enemy would 
make a stand, and a severe battle ensue. 

The command, having advanced through 
Waynesboro', encamped about three miles south 
of it on the railroad, and remained in position. 
In order to completely destroy the railroad, 
one battalion was taken from each reg-iment 
for that pui'pose, and while this was being 
done several attacks were made upon Colonel 
Murray, but handsomely repulsed, and the 
baffled enemy rendered incapable of molesting 
those engaged in tearing up the track. While 
thus occupied the General learned, with great 
regret, that the prisoners confined at Milieu 
had been removed two days previous; so it 
was thus out of his power now to procure 
their liberation. Had they remained at Millen, 



183 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

it cannot Ibe doubted "but ttat they would 
have been rescued, despite all opposition on the 
part of the Confederate government. The 
matter, however, could not now be mended. 

When a sufficient portion of the track had 
been destroyed, so as to prevent communication 
for a few days, the General deemed it prudent 
to retire to the infantry force, which lay at 
Louisville. With this design, he ordered Colo- 
nel Atkins, with Second Brigade, to move to 
the point where the Waynesboro' and Louis- 
ville roads cross each other, and there take up 
a position. Colonel Murray, with First Bri- 
gade, was, in the mean time, directed to move 
past Colonel Atkins and take up a position in 
his rear, and so on thi'oughout the day, and 
thus withdraw from any portion of the enemy's 
forces that might be following them up. Owing 
to some misapprehension, the General and staff, 
together with two regiments — Eighth Lidiana 
Cavalry (Colonel Jones), and Seventh Michi- 
gan Cavalry (Colonel Acker) — being too far 
separated from the rest of the command, in 
consequence of the too rapid march of Colonel 
Atkins, and being cut completely off, were 
partly surrounded by the enemy's cavalry. 

'J'lie author will never forget the moment 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 183 

when an aid rode up, with excited looks, and 
sweat falling in drops from himself and horse, 
and announced that General Kilpatrick was 
cut off. The news ran through the column 
like electricity; the column halted and formed 
in line of battle, and, throwing up barricades, 
presented a front which told fighting was to be 
done, and that the enemy must break through 
that line before he could advance another step. 
Matters, however, had not come to that ; the 
brave regiments, whose officers and men deserve 
and obtained the highest commendation, offi- 
cially, by splendid fighting broke the enemy's 
lines, and beating them back at every point he 
attacked, fell slowly back till the main column 
was reached. 

The march was now continued, and after 
crossing Buckhead Creek, burned the bridge, 
and halted two miles distant for the purpose 
of resting their jaded horses. It was here ascer- 
tained that Wheeler was crossing the creek 
with his entire force. 

The General now determined to* give him a 
repulse he would not soon forget, and having 
taken up a strong position, with flank well 
thrown to the rear, he threw up barricades, 
which were scarcely completed when the enemy 



184 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

came rushing on ; a few minutes later there 
occurred one of the most desperate cavalry 
charges that can well be imagined, but with 
slight loss to the Union forces ; the enemy met 
a severe repulse at all points, and the fight 
terminated. 

No attempts were now made on the part of 
the enemy to annoy the march the balance 
of the day. The command marched a few 
miles forward, encamping in a place where 
forage was plenty and could easily be obtained. 

The losses sustained by the command were 
inconsiderable, considering there was continu- 
ous fighting for three days and nights. Through 
scouts, prisoners, and deserters it was ascertained 
pretty clearly that the enemy's losses in killed 
and wounded amounted to six hundred. 

Next day the left wing of our army was 
reached at Louisville, where a rest of several 
days, the first on the march, recruited the 
tired soldiers and their horses, which were now 
almost worn down by hard marching day and 
nio-ht. 

Our troops, in several columns, were now 
marching on Millen, and in order to cover 
their movements, the cavalry command, on the 
second day of December, moved on the Waynes 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY'. 185 

boro' road, in advance of a division of infan- 
try, commanded by General Baird. Colonel 
Baldwin, with tbe Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, 
and Colonel Jones, witb tbe Eighth Indiana 
Cavalry, encountered a small body of the 
enemy, and after a brisk skirmish put them to 
flight. 

The infantry now arrived, and on reaching 
Rocky Creek, and a considerable force of the 
enemy being found on the opposite side, a force 
of cavalry and infantry crossed at the same 
time, and charging, drove the enemy into rapid 
retreat towards Waynesboro' and Augusta, the 
cavalry following up in hot j^ursuit. 

The command then moved on to Thomas 
Station, and an encampment was made for the 
night. General Baird's command was now busily 
employed in destroying the railroad, and in 
accomplishing this design were deployed along 
the track for miles. Kilpatrick made such a 
disposition of his men as to protect Baird's 
troops in their work ; while these forces were 
thus engaged, Wheeler, who had encamped 
between Waynesboro' and Brier Creek, moved 
early in the evening w^ith part of his command 
to Waynesboro'. He made a fierce attack on 
one of Colonel Atkins's regiments, encamped 



186 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

on the railroad three miles from Waynesboro', 
to the south of the town. There was little 
difficulty in repulsing this and similar attacks 
made during the night. 

General Kilpatrick had received instructions 
from the General-in-Chief to make a reconnois- 
sance in force towards Waynesboro', and fight 
Wheeler wherever he might encounter him. 
Accordingly, he issued his orders to brigade 
commanders to " strip for a fight," and eveiy 
thing that would incommode his command to 
be sent to the rear, in order that in the morn- 
ing the cavalry, unimpeded in meeting the 
enemy, would be in a situation to defeat and 
rout the rebel cavalry encamped at Waynes- 
boro'. 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 187 



CHAPTER X. 

Battle of Waynesboro'. — Official Reports of the Valiant Con- 
duct of the Officers and Men. — Fall of Fort McAllister. — 
Description of various Movements. — The Fall of Savannah, 
— Fine compliment from the General-in-Ohief. — Honors of 
Kilpatrick, etc., etc. 

The following morning Kilpatrick moved 
his forces, and the advance was led by Colonel 
Atkins, Second Brigade. The enemy's skirmish 
line was encountered, and, after a few minutes 
of sharp skirmishing, were driven in and forced 
to retire to their main body. The enemy's 
lines were made up of dismounted cavalry, 
strongly posted behind long lines of barricades, 
having the flanks well extended to the rear. 
Colonel Atkins was ordered to take the barri- 
cades ; but the enemy being somewhat stronger 
than was anticipated, the bold attack he made 
upon the line proved a failure. 

A second attack was made. The Ninety- 
second Illinois Mounted Infantry dismounted ; 



188 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

the Tenth. Ohio Cavalry and Ninth Michi- 
gan Cavalry, in columns of fours by battalion, 
sent in on the right, and the Ninth Ohio 
Cavalry placed in the same manner on the 
left also. On the left, the Tenth Wisconsin 
Battery, commanded by Captain Beebe, was 
brought up to within six hundred yards of the 
barricades, and, opening an effective fire, forced 
the enemy's artillery (five pieces in all) to with- 
draw from the contest. This was the favorable 
moment for attack. Accordingly the charge was 
sounded, and the whole line, in magnificent or- 
der, advanced without a moment's halt, took the 
barricades, and the enemy was forced to retire. 

After falling back some hundred yards, he 
made several counter-charges to check our rapid 
advance, so as to enable him to relieve his dis- 
mounted men ; and he was, at one time, almost 
successful, when he was attacked in flank by 
Colonel Heath, with Fifth Ohio Cavalry, which 
had been sent out on our right. The enemy 
yielded to this charge, gave way, and beaten at 
all points, rapidly fell back to the town of 
Waynesboro', where he took up a new position. 

In this position he was strongly posted 
within a second line of barricades, protected 
with artillery, having his flank-s, as before, so 



KILPATEICK A]S^D OUE CAVALRY. 189 

far extended that any attempt at turning tlieni 
was of no avail. 

Tlie General tlien determined to break Ms 
centre, and ordered Colonel MuiTay, wlio had 
the advance, to make his dispositions accord- 
ingly, which was immediately done. The 
Eighth Indiana Cavaliy, commanded by Colonel 
Jones, was at once dismounted and sent for- 
ward as skirmishers ; the Ninth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Jordan, held 
the left in columns of four by battalion ; the 
Third Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel King, had the centre, while Col- 
onel Baldwin, with the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, 
and Captain Foreman, mth Second Kentucky 
Cavalry, held the right. 

The chai'ge was sounded. The brave men 
advanced on the rebels with impetuosity, 
drove them out of their position, and taking 
possession of the town, followed up their routed 
forces in hot j)ursuit, with the Fifth Ohio, Fifth 
Kentucky, and a portion of the Ninth Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry. 

The pursuit continued to Brier Creek, eight 
miles distant fi'om the place where the enemy 
had first been attacked. The raih'oad bridge 
was burned, and the raiboad destroyed by 



190 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

tearing up and burning tlie track. The Union 
forces then marched to Alexander, and en- 
camped for the night. 

The enemy, under Wheeler, consisted of four 
divisions and two independent brigades, and 
the author has occasion to know, from the ac- 
knowledgment of the rebels themselves, that 
the rout was a complete one. Wheeler, after 
this, permitted our cavalry, unmolested, to con- 
tinue its march, and was never after able to 
rally his shattered columns, which were totally 
demoralized. General Kilpatrick, in his official 
report of the expedition, says : 

" The men of my command fought most bravely throughout 
this day, and it is impossible to single out from among the offi- 
cers individual cases of gallantry, where all did so well. My 
casualties on this day, as well as on all others, will be found on 
a separate report accompanying this. Judging from the enemy's 
killed and wounded, left on the field, his loss must have been 
severe, as upwards of two hundred left in our hands were 
wounded by the sabre alone. 

" Dec. 5. — We marched from Alexander to Jacksonboro', 
covering the rear of the Fourteenth Army Corps, 

" Dec. 6. — Colonel Murray, with First Brigade, marched to 
Springfield, moving in tlie rear of the Twentieth Army Corps. 
The Second Brigade, Colonel Atkins, moved to Hudson's Ferry. 

"Dec. 7. — When near Sister's Ferry, the Ninth Michigan 
Cavalry, Colonel Acker, acting as rear guard to the Second 
Brigade, received and repulsed an attack of Ferguson's Cavalry. 

*' Dec. 8. — The Second Brigade crossed Ebenezer Creek, and 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 191 

the whole command united on the Monteith road, ten miles 
from Springfield. From this point the command moved in the 
rear of the Seventeenth Army Corps, detachments covering the 
rear of several Army Corps, till the army reached the rebel 
lines, and commenced the investment of Savannah. 

" Dec. 12. — My command crossed the Ogeechee and Conoo- 
chee, and marched to attack and capture Fort McAllister. 
Striking distance had already been reached, a reconnoissance 
made, all requisite information gained, when, in accordance 
with the expressed wish of the General-in-Chief, I abandoned 
my design of attack, and with my command moved to reconnoi- 
tre St. Catharine's Sound, and open up our communication with 
our fleet. This Avas accomplished before 11 o'clock, a. m. The 
same day Fort McAllister fell. 

" Dec. 15. — The command returned to the vicinity of King's 
Bridge and went into camp, picketing the Conoochee and 
country in direction of Altamaha River. 

" Dec. 17. — Colonel Atkins, with upwards of two thousand 
men of my command, moved in conjunction with a division of 
infantry under General Mower, to destroy a portion of the Gulf 
Railroad, and, if possible, the railroad bridge over the Altamaha. 
Difficult approaches, and a strong force of the enemy, which 
could not be dislodged, prevented the accomplishment of the 
latter. The railroad, however, was very thoroughly destroyed, 
and the command returned to camp. 

"Dec. 21. — The enemy evacuated Savannah, the army occu- 
pied the city, and the operations of the cavalry closed. 

"In carrying out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, and 
in making the diversions in them indicated, some mistakes may 
have been made, yet I believe that the principal operations and 
diversions required of the cavalry have been throughout the 
march successfully accomplished. Certainly it is a fact, that 
not once has the enemy's cavalry been able to reach the train 
or flank of one of our infantry columns. We have three times 
crossed ffom left to right, and right to left, in front of our army, 



192 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

and have marched upwards of five hundred and forty-one miles 
since the 14th day of November, and have destroyed fourteen 
hundred and four bales of cotton, two hundred and seventy- 
one cotton-gins, and.,much other valuable property ; have cap- 
tured two three-inch rifled guns, and have them now in use ; 
captured and destroyed eight hundred and sixty-three stands of 
small arms, and killed, wounded, and disabled not less thau 
fifteen hundred of the enemy. We have lost four officers killed, 
six wounded, and two missing; thirty-four men killed, one 
hundred and fifty -three wounded, and one hundred and sixty- 
six missing. • 

" Before closing my remarks, I desire to make favorable men- 
tion of my brigade fommanders. Colonels Murray and Atkins. 
Both have, at all times, faithfully and ably performed the 
responsible duties that have devolved upon them. Always on 
doty, attentive to orders, energetic, skilful, and brave ; both at 
educated, gentlemanly, and accomplished cavalry officers. Both 
merit promotion. Colonel Sanderson and his regiment, Tenth 
Ohio Cavalry, at East Macon ; Colonel Acker, and his regiment, 
Ninth Michigan Cavalry; Colonel Jones, and his regiment, 
Eighth Indiana Cavalry, when cut off and surrounded near 
Waynesboro'; Colonel Heath, and his regiment. Fifth Ohio, at 
Buckhead Creek ; the Ninety-second Illinois Mounted Infantry, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Vair Buskirk ; Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
Colonel Jordan ; Third Kentucky Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel 
King; Tenth Ohio, Fifth Ohio, and Ninth Michigan Cavalry, at 
Waynesboro', December 4th, have all, at the various places 
mentioned, behaved most handsomely, and attracted my special 
attention. 

" The Second Kentucky Cavalry, Captain Foreman, although 
but a detachment, at Buckhead Creek, and at Waynesboro', did 
the duty of a regiment, and deserve the highest praise. 

" Captain Beebe, commanding artillery, and his Lieutenants, 
Stetson, Fowler, and Clark, have performed their duty well, 
and to the satisfaction of their immediate commanders. 



KILPATRICK AIN^D OUR CAVALRY. 193 

" I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of my staff. 
Through the exertions of Captain Dunbar, A. Q. M., and Cap- 
tain Brookfield, C. S., my command has always been well sup- 
plied. Dr. Wise, Surgeon-in-Chief of Division ; Captains Brink, 
A. A. J. Guil, and Day, Provost-Marshals ; and my aids, Captain 
Hayes, and Lieutenants Hollingsworth, Oliver, and Fuller, have, 
each in his respective place, more than fulfilled my expectation. 

" Captain Estes, my Assistant Adjutant-General, deserves 
special notice, not only for the faithful discharge of his eminent 
duties, but for his reckless daring and invaluable assistance in 
every skirmish and engagement. This officer deserves, and I 
earnestly hope, that he may be promoted. 

" Accompanying this repoi't will be found a nominal list of 
killed, wounded, and missing ; also Provost-MarshaPs statement 
of captures, and property destroyed. I inclose the reports of 
my brigade and regimental commanders, which I respectfully 
request may be taken as part of this my official report." 

General Kilpatrick was accompanied during 
the campaign by his young nephew, W. Judson 
Kilpati^ick, a promising youth of fourteen, and 
a HERO in the New York papers, in which his 
bravery has been extolled. His uncle, anxious 
for his well-being and future prospects, attends 
to his recitations. But this young scion of the 
Kilpatrick stock is rather lively, and not par- 
ticularly ambitious in his studies. 

The manner in which the services of General 
Kilpatrick were estimated, and the honor gained 
by the officers and men under his command, 
cannot be better evinced than in the following 

8 



194 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAV'ALRY. 

letter from the General-in-Chief, received on New 
Year's day, 1865 : 



"Head-Quakters, Militakt Division of the Mississippi,"] 
" In tub Field, Savannah, Ga., 

''December 29, 1S64 

Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatriok, 

Commanding Cavalry Division^ Army of Georgia : 

" General : I read with pleasure your report, just received, as 
well as those of your brigade commanders. I beg to assure you 
that the operations of the cavalry have been skilful and emi- 
nently successful. As you correctly state in your report, you 
handsomely feigned on Forsyth and Macon, and afterwards did 
all that was possible towards the rescue of our prisoners at 
Millen, which failed simply because our prisoners were not 
there. And I will here state, that you may have it on my sig- 
nature that you acted wisely and well in drawing back from 
Wheeler to Louisville, as I had instructed you not to risk your 
cavalry command. And subsequently, at Thomas' Station, 
Waynesboro', and Brier Creek, you whipped a superior cavalry 
force, and took from Wheeler all chance of boasting over you. 

"But the fact that to you, in a great measure, we owe the 
march of four strong infantry columns, with heavy trains and 
wagons, over three hundred miles through an enemy's country, 
without the loss of a single wagon, and without the annoyance 
of cavalry dashgs on our flanks, is honor enough for any cavalry 
commander. 

" I will retain your report for a few days, that I may, in my 
own report, use some of your statistics, and then will forward 
it to the War Department, when I will indorse your recom- 
mendations, and make such others as I may consider necessary 
and proper. "I am truly, 

" Your friend, 
(Signed) " W. B. Sherman, 

'•'• Major- General Comd^gy 



KILPATKICK AXD OUE CAVALEY. 195 

The following "Poem," denominated "Kil- 
PATEicK," is copied from one of the public jour- 
nals, and appeared about this time, but seems 
to have been ^\Titten some time previously, and 
will show that the poet's pen was used to per- 
petuate the glories of a success not ephemeral, 
but for the country's sake permanent. The 
candid reader may form his own opinion about 
it ; the writer was, doubtless, one of the Gener- 
al's old companions : 

KILPATRICK. 

Kilpatrick ! friend, so young, and vet so famed, 

In every clime and every language named ; 

I saw thee, when a school-boy, watch the wave 

The lovely valley of the Walkill lave ; 

But little thought that thine would be the arm, 

So slight, so soft, to shield the State from harm ; 

I knew thee when the nation's care and pride 

Upon the eaglet ej'rie close beside 

The cliff-bound river, whence have soared with thee, 

Full fledged, the champions of the free. 

But little thought that mild blue eye of thine 
Would flash dismay in friends of auld lang syne, 
And thou fierce squadrons lead on dread forays 
Through lands and homes we loved in other days, 
And wear so soon the longed-for silver star 
That blazes ever in the front of war, 
Its glories mingling with the trophies won 
By Randall and our Pennington. 



196 • KILPATRICK AND QUE CAVALRY. 

God bless thee for thy pertinacity, 

Thy dash and thy subhme audacity, 

That, like a very eagle, made thee dare 

To pounce upon the lion in his lair. 

And beat, with dreadful beak, his wond'ring eyes, 

Then soar unruflBed back to Northern skies. 

Hail, knight without reproach or fear, all hail ! 

A nation for thy lost ones lifts her wail, 

And proudly claims thee for her own to-day. 

"Wife — child, are gone ; thy country lives alway : 

Press on ! press on ! Atlanta is before. 

Heed not the fruit she flings as flung of yore : 

That lover only wins the maiden prize 

"Who to the golden apples shuts his eyes. 

Heed not the wound, it still will let thee lead. 

Though blood is trickling down thy charging steed. 

Charge on ! charge on ! The Georgian pines are bare. 
Trust in thy star, and send them flying there ; 
Make clear the way the army yet shall go. 
And shroud its motions from the baffled foe ; 
Keep on thy road, the wild morass is wide. 
Our hearts are with thee, Kil., whate'er betide. 
Haste on ! a world expectant waits for thee ! 
Ride on ! thou gallant raider, to tlie sea ! 
We wait, we hear ; thy name rings out the most, 
And will, with his the leader of the host. 
Hail ! risen Ney ! untouched by rivalry. 
Charge on ! charge on ! with all thy cavalry I 

Hark, 'tis the bugle sound ! the charge is made. 
The Flint is crossed, fierce squadrons are arrayed ; 
Here frowning earth-works rise, the foe to shield 
That in them swarm, and on the extended field 
'Tis Lovejoy's Station's glorious scene is laid. 
Where gallant Murray hurls his bold brigade, 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 197 

Aud Wheeler with his horsemen o'er the plain 
In wild confusion drives, and slacks the rein ; 
The foe liis wounded leaves, and leaves his slain — 
And by the furious charge of Atkins driven, 
A close pursuit his shattered force is given. 
"What though at Millen captives mourn in vain 
The grand, the bold design to break their chain, 
Yet Macon's, Griswold's fight beheld thy force, 
Thy charge resistless ; and the rebel horse 
Thy matchless might confess in grief and sorrow, 
While o'er their barricades rush at Waynesboro' 
Thy furious steed, thy staff, while in the air 
And o'er the field unfurled thy banner fair — 
With thy loved name inscribed, fair Alice, lost ! — 
Now tells the rebel and the conquering host 
The victor chief has highest honors won, 
By Sherman sounded wide beneath the sun 1 



198 KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Kemarks on the Cavalry in General. — The great Cavalry Lead- 
ers the War has produced. — Author's Ideas of OflScers, Non- 
Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers of the Cavalry Com- 
mand. — Ivilpatrick the Soldier's Friend. — His Attention to 
their Wants. — Their Devotion. — Elements of Success. — His 
Staff. — His great Interest in Young Men. — Administrative 
Ability.— Oratorical Talent. — Promoted to Major-General. 

The cavalry arm of the service has ever been 
our pride. We have watched its brilliant 
course, from the -first daring charge made by 
Tompkins and his regulars through the streets 
of Fairfax Court-House in 1861, and its glorious 
achievements on the broad plains of Brandy 
Station, Beverly Ford, Aldie, Hanover, Penn- 
sylvania, Kilpatrick's and Grierson's daring 
raids — which rival their great opponents, Jeb. 
Stuart, Morgan, Forrest, and Wheeler — up to 
the magnificent ride by General Kilpatrick and 
his six thousand horsemen throuo;li the heart 
of Georgia. 

We have read and admired, in days gone by. 



KILPATKICK AXD OUR CAVALRY. 199 

Richard Coeur de Lion^s deeds of daring, tlie 
splendid contests on the plains of Palestine, 
Murat's wild charges and splendid career, as 
well as tliose of our own Marion and Liglit 
Horse Harry Lee, of Revolutionary fame ; and 
the renowned charo-e of six hundred in the 
Crimea, at Balaklava. But not one nor all 
of these excel, or even rival, the deeds of fame 
achieved by our own great cavalry generals, as 
seen by Kilpatrick's famous raids in the East, 
Grierson's in the West, Pleasanton's victories 
in Virginia, Kilpatrick's and Custer's in Penn- 
sylvania, and Torbert's in the Shenandoah Val- 
ley, who rival in greatness and splendor the 
most celebrated European cavalry heroes im- 
mortalized by poet's or historian's pen. 

The author has long intended to write not 
only a partial but full and complete history of 
our cavalry ; and this, at a future period, may 
be accomplished, and a particular description 
of all the res gestae of our eminent cavalry com- 
manders, living and departed, obtain the place 
to which a grateful country acknowledges them 
entitled, for it is the memory of such the his- 
torian loves to perpetuate. 

Much could be said, too, of the brave brigade 
commanders, who are, many of them, known to 



200 KILPATllICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

be worthy of all praise, and capable of being 
promoted to high rank. And do not our regi- 
mental commanders claim the thanks of their 
superiors and inferiors in rank alike ? The field 
officers, always exposed on the battle-field — ma- 
jors, captains, lieutenants — all fit to rise up 
and fill any place made vacant. 

One rank in the service demands a word — 
the non-commissioned officers — men who, by 
capacity, knowledge of tactics, soldierly bear- 
ing and uniform good conduct, have greatly, to 
the author's knowledge, added to the efficiency 
of the cavalry command, and at all times have 
proved, that when a vacancy occurs each regi- 
ment, nay, each company, can procure fit succes- 
sors to stand forward and fill up the gap made 
by shot or shell, disease or death. The ser- 
geant is the man who leads out his men and 
relieves guard — on whom, in camp, on the 
bivouac, on picket or on the skirmish line, his 
immediate superior relies. The corporal is an 
important officer, and a slight mistake may be 
fatal to his general, who depends on him as 
much, or perhaps more, than on those of rank 
much superior. The chevrons have and do 
encircle stalwart arms, and great honor is due 
our brave non-commissioned officers. 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 201 

The bulk of any army, however, is made up 
of privates, or men who serve their country on 
the march, the /bivouac, the camp, thie picket, 
the guard, the skirmish-line, the battle-line. 
They endure the toils and fatigues of war — 
long, tedious marches, day and night. The 
march over, put on guard to the camp, or on 
picket, or to go to sleep in the cold, on tlie 
blanket, or without it, under the star-studded 
canopy, resting on and sleeping on their arms, 
till, roused at the bugle-sound, tkey rise from 
broken slumbers, and perhaps with, empty 
stomach, to defend the assaulted bamcade, hurl 
back the foe, charge him with enthusiastic 
bravery, and push the advantage into total 
rout. 

Discipline, tactics, the military exercises, 
make these men able to cope with and conquer 
all difficulties. The author knows well the men 
of the cavalry command, and honors and re- 
spects the brave soldier who fights the battles 
of his country, and continually is found at his 
post in danger's hour, and obedient to the word 
of command. 

Kilpatrick's success greatly depended on the 
care he took of his men, and the discipline they 
were subjected to. Their arms, equipments, 



202 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALEY. 

clothing, subsistence, and, in a word, every 
thing in whidi the welfare of the soldier is con- 
cerned, he looked into with anxious solicitude, 
and what was lacking he supplied as far as lay in 
his power. The men confided in him, and such 
was their reliance on, and attachment to him, he 
could lead them anywhere, and had only to let 
them know he wanted them to do such and 
such things, and they were done. 

His success, too, was augmented by the ani- 
mated and cheerful manner in which he ad- 
dressed them on an emergency on the field of 
battle. Every one is conversant with the pithy 
words, on a certain critical occasion : " Back 
the Harris Light /" " Back the Tenth New 
York !" " Reform your squadrons, and charge !"' 
How soon and how well the order was executed, 
and with what result, we have already seen. 
It was thus that, ever cool and collected, bold 
as a lion, and prudent, not rasli, as some misin- 
formed persons have charged, he often turned 
the tide of battle, rolled it back upon the foe, 
till they were overthrown. 

General Sherman bears witness to his ability 
and daring, but not this only ; for that mighty 
warrior, one of the best judges, and who best 
knew, expressly states that this leader was 



KILPATKICK AND OUE CAVALEY. 203 

" skilful and prudent," and " saved his com- 
mand." Witli military men, but little value 
can attach to an opinion to tlie contrary of tliat 
expressed by so distinguislied a judge as Gene- 
ral Slierman. 

Readiness of mind was another great reason 
why success attended him ; his fertility of re- 
sources, and knowledge how to take advantage 
of occasions as they arose. All was prepared — 
all ready — the final disposition made with great 
care, and the possibility of failure all but ex- 
cluded. 

There was, too, his rare knowledge of men, 
and acquaintance with human nature. He 
knew how to put " the right man in the right 
place," and always kept the right sort of men 
about him, even to his orderly, his servant, and 
his cook. None more quickly than he could 
tell whether his horse was well groomed or not, 
and woe to the luckless wight that was negli- 
gent ! for " a merciful man is merciful to his 
beast :" dumb animals ever came in for a share 
of his care, and, like all good cavalry officers, 
he was very careful of his horse, and took great 
pride in his trappings. Though not an epi- 
cui e, but very plain in his mode of living, he is 
a nice judge of culinary operations; on several 



204 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

occasions at dinner we have observed his nice 
discrimination of dishes, and if not well pre- 
pared, his dissatisfaction is apparent. 

Thus, even in the minor details, he is nice 
upon every point ; the little things that many 
would pass over, his keen eye detected at once ; 
and he would want, if the thing could be done, 
to have it done well. 

Acting upon this principle, when a man was 
found who could do any thing well, he attached 
him to him, and, therefore, every thing done 
was well done, and reflected credit on the doer 
as well as on himself. 

In all his selections, if there is any point in 
which he might be fastidious, it is in the selec- 
tion of his staif officers. His opinion of them 
can be gathered from his own official report, 
and it is sufficient to say, they were all energetic 
and able young gentlemen, whom we have 
found it pleasant to associate with at all times. 
It is not too much to say, that they are gallant 
young fellows, ready to do whatever directed in 
the promptest manner, and to be depended on 
in any crisis, — which, to a general who was 
always raiding or fighting, or devising fresh 
schemes, was not seldom the case. I have fre- 
quently heard it said that Kilpatrick's staff 



KILPATKICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 205 

did more work than any general's staff in the 
army. 

General Kilpatrick always takes a deep in- 
terest in young men, especially those of his 
staff, who found in him a kind, genuine, true 
friend; one who felt interested in them, and 
gained their confidence ; was consulted by them 
in their most important affairs, and ever found, 
when occasion offered, desirous of advancing 
their interests in every possible way. 

But they seldom remain with him long. So 
efficient are they found to be, from the thorough 
training under such a master, forming their 
minds and characters after such a man, and nat- 
urally becoming influenced thereby, that they are 
soon wanted in higher positions, and promotion 
takes them from him, but never interrupts the 
friendly feeling and true affection that bound 
them mutually together. The grave, indeed, 
sometimes separates them, but it does not, with 
all its gloom, do away with or impair the senti- 
ments he cherished for their memory ; of their 
regards for him it may be said they Avere per- 
petual, and of his for them that it was ". immor- 
tal." 

We have yet to find the common soldier who 
will speak of General Kilpatrick in any terms 



206 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

save of praise; and, indeed, tlie feeling is re- 
ciprocated. Kilpatrick loves tis men. I have 
heard him say, on many occasions, when, true 
to him, some regiment or detachment gloriously 
charged the barricades, or stubbornly lield some 
important post, " God bless tlie brave soldiers ! — 
every one of them deserves promotion." 

To show the talent for the selection of his 
staff, it will be sufficient to mention such names 
as Dahlgren and Cook, already alluded to; 
HacMey, the eminent surgeon and elegant gen- 
tleman, who, for two years, never left the gen- 
eral's side, not even in the most dangerous 
hour, and who well sustained the dignity of 
the profession, and earned the merited esteem 
cherished for him ; Armstrong, for so long a 
time his able inspector-general ; Whitaker, Wil- 
son, and Northrop, those brave young men 
who, in the East as well as in the West, have 
won for themselves a most enviable reputa- 
tion. 

Llewellyn G. Estes^ that gallant soldier from 
Maine who, from the very first, has been with 
the general, sharing every danger; who, for so 
many months, has been his adjutant-general, 
the responsible duties of which office have been 
so ably performed, and whose daring and use* 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 207 

fulness on tlie field of battle liave won for Mm 
a reputation second to no young officer in the 
army. 

Captains Brink, Day, Hayes, Dunbar, Brook- 
field, and Lieutenants Lewis, Hollingswortb, 
and Fuller, who have, in every battle and on 
every occasion, proved themselves worthy of 
servina; on the staff of a general so illustrious. 
Lieutenants Weclemeyer, Newton, McCrea, Oli- 
ver, and Potter, who, if not so long with the 
general, are no less attached, and share also his 
esteem and confidence ; as well as his medical 
director. Surgeon Helm, a gentleman of scien- 
tific ability, whose professional attainments and 
skill are only equalled by his humanity. 

We have reason to believe — in fact, to know, 
— ^that the want of success of many of our gener- 
als, and with some of those who have com- 
manded armies, has been the result, not so 
much of their own want of ability, but from the 
fact that, in many cases, they have gathered 
about them an incompetent and worthless staff, 
who knew less of military matters than the 
orderly who rode in their rear and held their 
horses. 

Point out a general who has been successful, 
and he will be found to have ever had about 



208 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

him an intelligeDt, accomplished, energetic 
staff. 

Another element that gave success to General 
Kilpatrick was, his great tact and business 
talent, or "administrative ability," in which 
he so far excelled the most of military men as 
to place him, in this resj)ect, beyond competi- 
tors ; for his natural powers, in themselves quick, 
ready, elastic, were improved by science, study, 
and cultivation, and, combined with tact, ren- 
dered him pre-eminent and successful. 

We cannot better express the patriotic ardor 
and steady purpose of General Kilpatrick faith- 
fully to perform his duty, than by laying before 
our readers the foUowino; communication to 
Major-General Sherman, General-in-chief : 

January 2, 1865. 
" General : 

" I have always felt convinced that you were satisfied with 
the efforts I have made to carry out your orders, and with the 
part my command has taken in your late important and success- 
ful operations. But I was not prepared for your communica- 
tion, and the grateful words it contained. It was placed in my 
hands on New Year's day, and I would not exchange the hap- 
piness it has given me for all the wealth in Savannah (cotton 
included), a New Year's gift sent hy yon to our worthy Presi- 
dent. My command has been furnished with copies, and I as- 
sure you, general, that now no task will be too difficult, no 
march too long, no rebel force too formidable ; but with strong 
arms and brave hearts, proud of your recognition of our efforts 



KILPATRIC'K AND OUR CAVALRY. 209 

in the past, we will do more, dare more than ever, to have 
General Sherman say, at the close of a campaign which I feel 
will be the beginning of the end, ' I am satisfied with ray cav- 
alry.' " 

On tlie 14:th. of January, 1865, Kilpatrick 
was made Major-General. 



210 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Sherman's Great Campaign in the Carolinas. — Kilpatrick's 
Feints and Diversions. — Battle of Monroe's Cross- Roads. — 
Defi^ats Hampton's and Wheeler's Cavalry combined. — 
Battle of Averysboro. — Conclusion. 

We Americans, like the Athenians, are a 
fickle, changeable people ; we make a man to- 
day, and unmake him to-morrow; we place a 
garland of roses on his brow, while we are 
looking for thorns to place under his feet; A 
hundred victories in the past are swallowed up 
in one defeat, and new heroes usurp in our hearts 
the place of those whose past services, wounds, 
and glorious deeds, should have endeared them 
to us forever. In view of these facts, it' is 
indeed a daring matter to risk opinions, or even 
attempt to write the history of a soldier whose 
career of usefulness and glory we hope has 
only just begun. 

The last chapter was finished while Sher 
man's veteran army was resting among the 



KILPATRICK AISTD OUR CAVALRY. 211 

cypress and pines about Savannah. The Union 
troops, then in occupation of that interesting 
old city, with its Revolutionary earthworks, its 
"Pulaski" monument, and various remains of 
the past, enjoyed a much-needed repose, and 
had their patriotism fired by contemplation of 
memorials of bygone days. Sherman passed his 
mighty legions in review, and as corps after 
corps in all the splendor of glittering arms 
appeared before the inhabitants, a magnificent 
spectacle was presented, and could not have 
failed to impress upon their minds the strength 
and power of that government against which 
they had dared to rebel. 

It was here that preparation was made for 
the great campaign now about to be inagurated. 
The army of Sherman was to march upon 
what proved one of the most successful and 
grand expeditions that the pen of history 
records. South Carolina, despite her formida- 
ble rivers, swamps, and boastful soldiery, has 
been traversed by our victorious army, and her 
capital, Columbia, and many towns, left like 
ruins upon the desert — desolate and pitiable. 

Alas ! that ever a land so favored should, 
like that fail' city of old, be left "a place for 
the bittern and water-pools." 



212 KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

While our army is now resting from its 
glorious march, I shall attempt to lay before 
the reader in this last chapter a correct account 
of the part taken by Kilpatrick and his cavalry, 
although, in a work like this full justice cannot 
be done this officer or his men. The many 
feints and diversions, rapid and forced marches 
— that tireless activity without which his com- 
mand, even in the immediate neighborhood of 
the foe, vastly superior in numbers, would have 
been ruined ; his resistless onsets, stubborn 
fight, and victory over Hampton's and Wheeler's 
combined forces ; and the splendid fighting, 
mounted and on foot, side by side with our 
infantry, near the close of the campaign, which 
won for the cavalry the admiration of the entire 
army, deserve, not a single chapter, but a whole 
volume by itself 

By the 15th of January, Sherman's grand 
army of invasion was ready for the campaign. 
The troops were eager to tread the " sacred 
soil" of South Carolina, and hailed with joy 
the order that was to send them on their peri- 
lous march, fraught with so many untried 
dangers. 

The Seventeenth and Fifteenth Coi-ps, on the 
morning of the 16th of Februaiy, quietly left 



KILPATRICK AXD OUR CAVALRY. 213 

the city of Savannah, and, to the astonishment 
of the enemy, suddenly attacked and took 
possession of Pocotaligo Landing, S. C. This 
initiated the grand campaign. While the enemy 
were speculating as to what point General Sher- 
man would move, the left wing, General Slocum 
commanding, moved to Sister's Ferry, and, after 
many days of incessant labor, the Savannah 
was ready to be crossed. 

The cavalry command, under General Kil- 
patiick, which had up to this time been quietly 
resting behind the infantry, now crossed the 
river on a pontoon at Sister's Ferry, passed 
through the formidable swamp beyond, and 
moved rapidly on Augusta. 

This movement was unknown to the enemy, 
and not expected, as General Howard had 
already pushed his column across the Salke- 
hatchie, far on the right, indicating a movement 
of the whole army on Columbia via Branch- 
ville ; so that by rapid marching Kilpatrick had 
reached and crossed the Salkehatchie, and occu- 
pied Barnwell, thirty miles to the left front of 
General Howard, and in the direction of Au- 
gusta, before the movement was discovered. 

The rebel General Wheeler now left the 
front of the Army of the Tennessee, and moved 



214 KILPATKICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 

rapidly to get in Kilpatrick's front, in order to 
save the railroad ; but lie vras too late. 

At 9 A. M., February 7th, Kilpatrick struck 
the Charleston and Augusta Railroad at Black- 
ville, and drove Wheeler across the Edisto. 
The following day the entire army, save one 
corps, occupied the line of this important rail- 
road from the Edisto River 'to Blackville, and 
the work of destruction commenced. Colum- 
bia was Sherman's true objective point ; yet 
Augusta, in the opinion of the enemy, might 
be. Up to this time, all the bridges and cross- 
ings over the Edisto, in the direction of Colum- 
bia, were strongly guarded ; but Kilpatrick's de- 
liberate movement up the railroad, destroying 
in the direction of Augusta, had at last the 
desired effect. 

He had reached Johnston's Station, five miles 
from Aiken, and nineteen miles from Augusta, 
when the enemy became alarmed for the safety 
of that city. Major-Greneral Wheeler at once 
uncovered Columbia, and, by marching night 
and day, reached Aiken in advance of Kil- 
patrick ; and, supported by the rebel General 
Cheatham's corps of infantry, disputed his 
further progress. 

For two days he skirmished with the enemy, 



KILPATRICK AISTD OUE CAVALRY. 215 

till our various infantry columns had crossed 
the Edisto, and were well headed for Columbia ; 
then suddenly leaving Wheeler's front, he 
crossed the Edisto, and marched to Lexington 
Court-House, preventing Wheeler's reaching 
Columbia, and forcing that general and the 
remainder of Hood's army to make a wide 
detour, in order to get in Sherman's front. 

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, fell 
without a struggle ; and the chivalry, who had 
sworn to defend her honor — 'Mrive back the 
ruthless, rude, brutal invaders" — and save the 
Confederacy, or nobly die amid her sacred 
altars, had cowardly fled, broken, widely scat- 
tered, baffled, and dispirited, by that splendid 
strategy of Sherman, which had, in a few days, 
laid South Carolina at the feet and mercy of 
the men of the North. 

In all the operations, marches, and feints, 
which were so ably performed, and finally 
resulted in the fall of Columbia, without a 
battle, the cavalry suffered most. On this im- 
portant arm of the grand army devolved the 
strong feint on Augusta, and diversion in favor 
of the Army of the Tennessee — a similar diver- 
sion to that on Forsyth, Macon, and Augusta, in 
the Georgia campaign. None save those who are 



216 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

.well acquainted witli tlie grand strategic move- 
ments of Sherman, can fully appreciate the im- 
portance of such feints and diversions, and how 
much rests upon their success. 

Thus far, the cavalry with Sherman has 
never failed. Eoldly and skilfully it has ope- 
rated, despite the superiority in numbers of the 
enemy's cavalry, and, up to the occupation of 
Columbia, it had been one continuous skirmish, 
interspersed with brilliant dashes. The bridge 
over the Salkehatchie was saved, although on 
fire, by a daring charge, made by Colonel Van 
Buskirk and his regiment, the Ninety-second 
Illinois Mounted Infantry, and Colonel Hamil- 
ton's regiment, the Ninth Ohio, which dashed 
through the swamp and over the burning 
bridge, routing the enemy from a strong and 
well-chosen position. Blackville was taken by 
a brilliant dash of cavalry, led by Colonel (now 
Brigadier-General) Jordan and Major Estis. The 
writer was witness of this spirited affair, and 
rode in side by side with the brave Colonel 
Kimel, at the head of the Ninth Pennsylvania, 
which had the advance. February 7th, six 
regiments of rebel cavalry, commanded by Gen- 
eral Heagan, were totally routed by three small 
regiments of cavalry, the First Alabama, Fifth 



KILPATEICK AND OUR CAVALIIY. 217 

Ohio, and Fifth Kentucky, led by Colonel Spen- 
cer, in which he captured five battle-flags ; and, 
on the 9th day of the same month, Wlieeler's 
entire force was splendidly repulsed at John- 
ston's Station. 

Wheeler, although a good officer, could not 
successfully cope with Kilpatrick, and was 
superseded by Lieutenaut-General Wade Hamp- 
ton, the pet and pride of the chivalry. Against 
the comljiued forces of Hampton and Wheeler, 
Kilpatrick was now forced to contend, and in 
a few days proved, on the bloodiest cavalry 
field of the war, his superiority over both. 

The same army that had now reached the 
heart of South Carolina, and occupied her capi- 
tal city, had, less than one year ago, scaled Stony- 
faced Ridge, away up among the mountains of 
Georgia, stormed the rugged hills of Resaca, 
driven the foe off the far-famed Kenesaw, gazed 
down upon his retreating columns, had wrested 
from Georgia her gate-city, and, from Atlanta's 
burning ruins, had marched in proud triumph 
to Savannah and the sea ! As we look back on 
those bloody battle-fields, rugged mountains, 
d(sep ravines, broad rivers, and swaraps — hither- 
to deemed impassable, but over which Sherman 
led his army to victory, we are lost in wonder 



218 KILPATEICK AND OUE CAVALKY. 

and admiration. The flag of the Stars, on tlie 
morning of the l7th of February, waved in 
triumph fi'om the dome of the capitol at Colum- 
bia, and in less than three days the city was 
one vast heap of smouldering ruins. 

Sherman was not responsible for this, how- 
ever ; nor did he stop to contemplate the sad 
spectacle, but pushed boldly forward on his 
well-studied course. Columbia was now no 
more. She had " gone glimmering through the 
dreams of things that were." She resembled 
ancient Troy, of whom the poet in emphatic 
language says, " Troja fuiV — " This city has 
heeny Sherman turned his back on her desert- 
ed ruins, and, pursuing his victorious march, 
soon crossed the State line, and left her, as her 
capital, now a wilderness. And yet, not a bat- 
tle had been fonght. The Indian defends his 
wigwam, the Mexican his hut, and the Spaniard 
his towns and cities ; but the chivalry of South 
Carolina, although led by Hampton, Wheeler, 
Beauregard, and Johnston, had cowardly fled, 
and that without striking a single blow in de- 
fence of their homes and firesides. Well may 
we hope soon to see the beginning of the 
end ! 

While the Army of the Tennessee was resting 



KILPATRICK AND OUIl CAVALRY. 219 

about Columbia, the left wing and Kilpatrick's 
cavalry were rapidly pushing forward, crossed 
the Congaree, and moved to Alston, thirty 
miles above Columbia. Kilpatrick moved 
boldly on the extreme left, and, all day marching 
parallel to and within three miles of the rebel 
General Cheatham's corps of infantry, reached 
the railroad, and destroyed the station at Pomo- 
na, in advance of him, and then passed down 
the railroad, destroying the track to the rail- 
road bridge over Broad River. The following 
day he crossed, moved to Monticello, destroyed 
the railroad as far up as Shelton's Depot, and 
then moved across the country towards Ches- 
terfield, covering the infantry until it had suc- 
cessfully crossed the Wateree River ; then drew 
off and marched to Lancaster Court-House, 
where he found the rebel General Hampton, 
now in command of all the rebel cavalry. 

Fayetteville was Sherman's objective point. 
Kilpatrick was directed to move boldly in to- 
wards Charlotte, and so manoeuvre his troops 
as to convince the enemy that the whole army 
was moving in that direction. Never was an 
oj^eration more successfully carried out. Never 
was an enemy more perfectly deceived. Not 
only was the enemy deceived, but the deception 



220 KILPATEICK AND OUli CAVALRY. 

was kept up for many days, wliile our aruiy 
was liopelessly stuck in the mud. 

The spkndicl diversion wliicli held Beaure- 
gard's army massed to defend Charlotte ville, 
till our army had crossed the Pedee, reflects 
more credit on Kilpatrick and h.is command 
than any previous operation. 

While at this point, it was ascertained beyond 
a doubt that the enemy were killing our sol- 
diers after they had surrendered ; but the 
prompt and determined action of Generals 
Sherman and Kilpatrick regarding this bar- 
barous warfare initiated by the rebel soldiery, 
brought it to a sudden termination. An in- 
teresting correspondence occurred here on the 
subject, between Generals Sherman, Kilpatrick, 
Hampton, and Wheeler. It is given in full, 
and shows the true temper of these great Union 
generals, who, uj^on occasion, handle the pen 
with the same ease as they wield the sword : 



4 



"Head -Quarters, Cavalry Command, 

" Army op Invasion, in tub Field, S. C, 
''February 22, 1865. 

"Major-General Wheelee, 

'■'•Commanding G. S. Cavalry. 
" General : Yesterday a lieutenant and seven men, and a 
sergeant of a battery, were taken prisoners by one of your regi- 
ments — if I am correctly informed, by a Texas regiment, armed 
with Spencer carbines, and commanded b} a lieutenant-oolo- 



KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 221 

nel. This officer and his men, after surrendering and being 
disarmed, were inhumanly and cowardly murdered. Kine of 
my cavalrymen were also found murdered yesterday — five in a 
barn-yard, three in an open field, and one in the road ; two 
had their throats cut from ear to ear. This makes in all eigh- 
teen Federal soldiers murdered yesterday by your people. 

" Unless some satisfactory explanation be made to me before 
sundown, February 23d, I will cause eighteen of your soldiers, 
now my prisoners, to be shot at that hour ; and if this cowardly 
act be repeated — if my men, when taken, are not treated, in 
all cases, as prisoners of war should be, I will not only retaliate, 
as I have already mentioned, but there shall not be left a house 
standing within reach of my scouting parties along my line 
of march ; nor will I be answerable for the conduct of my sol- 
diers, who will not only be allowed, but encouraged to take a 
fearful revenge. I know of no other way to intimidate cow- 
ards. 

" I am. General, 

" Very respectfully, 

" Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) "J. Kilpateick, 

'■'•Brevet Major-General^ Com. Cavalry.''^ 



" HEAD-QtrAKTEBS, CaYALET CoRPS, • 

" Chesterfield, S. C, February 22, 1S65. j 

"Major-General Kilpateick:, IJ. S. A., 
'■'■Commanding Cavalry^ &c. 

" Gejteeal : Your dispatch of this date is received, and I 
am much shocked at the statements which it contains. 

" I am satisfied you are mistaken in the matter. I have no 
'Texas regiment armed with Spencer rifles,' and none com- 
manded by a 'lieutenant-colonel.' The two Texas regiments 
which belong to my command are commanded by captains, 
and neither were in any engagement on yesterday. If any of 



222 KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY, 

my regiments were engaged with tlie enemy yesterday, that 
fact has not yet been reported to me. I will liave the matter 
promptly investigated, and see that full justice is done. Should 
the report, however, by any means prove correct, I prefer that 
the retaliation may be inflicted upon the parties guilty of the 
misdeeds, and not upon innocent persons. 

" I have no desire, whatever, to make counter-threats in re- 
sponse to those which you have thought proper to address to 
me; but, should you cause eighteen of my men to be shot, be- 
cause you chanced to find that mimler of your men dead, I 
shall regard them as so many murders committed by you, and 
act accordingly. I trust, however, such a painful necessity will 
not be forced upon me. Your tlireat ' to burn every house as 
far as your scouts can extend,' is of too brutal a character for 
me, and I think for my government, to attend to. 
" Kespectfully, Sir, 

" Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) "J. Wheeler, 

'' Major- General G. S. ^." 



" Head-Quaeteks, Cavaley Command, . 
"Aemy of Invasion, S. C, February 23, 1865. J 

" Major-General Wheeler, 

" Gommanding Gavalry, G. S. A. 
" General : Your dispatch, dated Chesterfield, February 22d, 
has just been received, and I feel satisfied that you will so fully 
investigate the circumstances attending the murder of my men, 
that the guilty parties Avill be discovered and punished. The 
regiment referred to as being commanded by a lieutenant- 
colonel, may have been commanded by a captain ; but, certain 
it is, that the force was mostly composed of Texaus, many 
armed with the Spencer rifle, and my people were shot by 
order of the officer in command. One of my scouts — a reliable 
man — was with this force all day, and testified to the fact that 



KTLPATRTCK AND OUR CAVALRY. 223 

not only were these men referred to murdered, but that the 
general conversation of your men was, that they would tako 
no more prisoners. I hope you may be able to furnish some 
reason that may in a degree justify the course taken by your 
men. 

" You speak, in your communication, of my threat to burn 
houses, &c., as being too brutal for you and your government 
to entertain. No matter how brutal it may seem, I have the 
power, and will enforce it to the letter ; and more, if this 
course is persisted in, I will not only allow, but encourage my 
people to retaliate, man for man. 

"I shall take no action for the present. If stragglers from 
my command are found in the houses of citizens, committing 
any outrages whatever, my own people are directed to shoot 
them upon the spot ; and, of course, I expect officers and sol- 
diers of your command to do the same. 

"I am alive to the fact that I ara surrounded by citizens, as 
well as soldiers, whose bitter hatred to the men I have the 
honor to command, did not originate with this war, and I ex- 
pect that some of my men will be killed elsewhere than on the 
battle-field ; but, I know, and shall not hesitate to apply, a 
severe remedy in each case. 

" Very respectfull}^ 

"Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) "J. Kilpatkick, 

'■'' Brevet Major- General^ Commanding Caval/ry.'''' 



"Head-Qxtartees. Military Division of the Mississippi, i 
" In THE Field, i^eSriiary 24, 1865. i 

" Lieutenant-Gen eral Wade Hampton: 

^''Commanding Cavalry Forces^ C. S. A. 

" General : It is officially reported to me that our foraging 
parties are murdered after capture, and labelled ' Death to all 
Foragers.' One instance of a lieutenant and seven men, near 



224 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

Chesterfield, and another of twenty near a ravine, eighty rods 
from the main road, about three miles from Feasterville. I 
have ordered a similar number of prisoners in our hands to be 
disposed of in like manner. 

"I hold about one thousand prisoners, captured in various 
ways, and can stand it as long as you ; but I hardly think these 
murders are committed by your knowledge, and Avould suggest 
that you give notice to the people at large that evei-y life taken 
by them simply results in the death of one of your confederates. 

Of course, you cannot question my right to forage on the 
country. It is a war-right as old as history. The manner of 
exercising it varies with circumstances, and if the civil authori- 
ties will supply my requisitions, I will forbid all foraging. But 
I find no civil aiithorities that can respond to calls for forage 
or provisions, and therefore must collect directly of the people. 
I have no doubt this is the occasion of much misbehavior on the 
part of our men; but I cannot permit an enemy to judge or 
punish with wholesale murder. 

Personally, I regret the bitter feelings engendered by tliis 
war; but they were to be expected, and I simply allege tliat 
those Avho struck the first blow, and made war inevitable, ought 
not, in fairness, to reproach us for the natural consequences. I 
merely assert our war-right to forage, and my resolve to pro- 
tect, to the utmost, my foragers, to the extent of life for life. 
" I am, with respect, 

" Yoiir obedient Servant, 
(Signed) " W. T. Shekman, 

'■'■ Major- General, U. S. u4." 



" Head-Quartees, in the FrELD^ i 
'■'■ February 27, \SG5. ) 

"Major-General "W. T. Sherman, 

" United States Army. 

" General : Your communication of the 24th inst. reached n)e 
to-day. In it you state tliat it has been officially reported that 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 225 

your foraging parties were 'murdered' after capture; and you 
go on to saj' that you have ordered a similar number of per- 
sons in your hands to be disposed of in like manner ; that is to 
say, you have ordered a number of Confederate soldiers to be 
* murdered. ' 

"You characterize your oi'der in-proper terms; for the public 
voice, even in ) our own country, where it seldom dares to ex- 
press itself in vindication of truth, honor, or justice, will surely 
agree with you in pronouncing you guilty of murder, if your 
order is carried out. 

" Before discussing this portion of your letter, I beg to assure 
you for every soldier of mine ' murdered' by you, I shall have 
executed at once two of yours, giving in all cases preference to 
any officers who may be in my hands. 

"In reference to the statement you make regarding the death 
of your foragers, I have only to say that I know nothing of it, 
that no orders given by me authorize the killing of prisonei-s 
after capture, and that I do not believe my men killed any of 
yours, except under circumstances in which it was perfectly 
legitimate and proper they should kill them. 

" It is a part of the system of the thieves whom you designate 
as your foragers, to fire the dwellings of those citizens whom 
they have robbed. 

" To check this inhuman system, which is fully execrated by 
every civilized nation, I have directed my men to shoot down 
all of your men who are caught burning houses. This order 
shall remain in force as long as you disgrace the profession of 
arms, by allowing your men to destroy private dwellings. 

"You say that I cannot, of course, question your right to 
forage on the country. 'It is a right as old as history.' I do 
not, sir, question this right. But there is a right, older even 
than this, and one more inalienable— the right that every man 
has to defend his home and to protect those who are dependent 
upon him. And from my heart I wish that every old man and 
boy in my country, who can fire a gun, would shoot down as 
9* 



226 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

he would a wild beast, the men who are desolating their land, 
burning their houses, and insulting their women. 

"You are particular in defining and claiming 'war-rights.' 
May I ask if you enumerate among them the right to fire upon 
a defenceless city without notice, to burn that city to the 
ground after it had been surrendered by the authorities, who 
claimed, though in vain, that protection which is always ac- 
corded in civilized warfare to non-combatants; to fire the 
dwelling-houses of citizens after robbing them, and perpetrate 
even darker crimes than these — crimes too black to be men- 
tioned ? 

"Yon have permitted, if jon have not ordered, the commis- 
sion of these outrages against humanity and the rules of war ; 
you fired into the city of Columbia, without a word of warning, 
after its surrender by the mayor, who demanded protection to 
private property ; you laid the whole city in ashes, leaving amid 
its ruins thousands of old men and helpless women and children, 
who are likely to perish of starvation and exposure. 

Your line of march can be traced by the lurid light of burn- 
ing houses, and, in more than one household, there is an agony 
far more bitter than death. The Indian scalped his victim, 
regardless of sex or age ; but, with all his barbarity, he always 
respected the persons of his female captives. Your soldiers, 
more savage than the Indian, insult tliose whose natural pro- 
tectors are absent. 

"In conclusion, I have only to request that when you have 
any of ray men 'disposed of or 'murdered,' for the terms ap- 
pear to be synonymous with you, you will let me hear of it, in 
order that I may know what action to take in the matter. In 
the mean time I shall hold fifty-six of your men as hostages for 
those whom you have ordered to be executed. 
"I am yours, etc., 
(Signed) " Wade Hampton, 

" Lieutenant- General^ 



KILPATRICK AXD OUR CAVALRY. 227 

Tlie enemy liad been totally deceived, as I 
before mentioned, and Sherman's various col- 
umns were well across Lyncli River, and had 
thrown pontoons across the Pedee, before he 
could be convinced that Charlotte was not to 
be attacked. Kilpatrick now drew oif, crossed 
Lynch Kiver, moved rapidly- for the Pedee, 
crossed and moved to Rockingham, driving 
Hampton's cavalry from the town. 

Here the cavalry amused Hampton and Har- 
dee until Major-General Slocum had crossed 
Lynch River ; then drew off, and crossing this 
stream ten miles above, the infantry during the 
night overcame every obstacle, crossed swamps 
almost impassable, swollen streams over which 
the bridges had been destroyed, and after sur- 
mountino^ difficulties that would have disheart- 
ened many a coiumander, hard, dry ground, 
terra firma, was reached at 1 2 m. on the 9th of 
March, and Kilpatriek's advance struck Lieu- 
tenant-General Hardee's rear guard at Solomon 
Grove, capturing a number of prisoners. 

Hardee and Hampton were moving rapidly 
for Fayetteville. Hampton had not yet arrived, 
and Kilpatrick determined to intercept this 
officer and his command, and thus prevent a 
junction with Hardee at Fayetteville. 



228 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

I have obtained and give copious extracts 
from Major-Greneral Kilpatrick's report of tlie 
cavalry battle that ensued, and his operations 
up to the time he reached Fayetteville, N. C. ; 



" HEAD-QuAnTEES, CaTALHY COMMAND, ; 

" In the Field, March 11, 1865. 



\ 

" Major Dayton: 

" Major : You will remember that I stated in my last com- 
munication, from Solomon's Grove, that Hardee was marching 
rapidly for Fayetteville, but that Hampton and Wheeler were 
still in the rear, and that I would endeavor to cut them off. 
The information was correct. Hampton, however, was found 
moving upon two roads — the Morgantown road and a road 
three miles farther to the north, and parallel to it, just south 
and east of Solomon's Grove. 

" I posted upon each road a brigade of cavalry, and learning 
that there was a road still farther north, upon which some of 
the enemy's troops might move, I made a rapid night's march 
with Colonel Spencer's little brigade of three regiments, and 
four hundred dismounted men, and one section of artillery, and 
took post at the point where the road last mentioned intersects 
the Morgantown road. During the fore part of the evening, I 
left General Atkins and joined Colonel Spencer with my staff, 
and actually rode through one of General Hampton's divisions 
of cavalry, which, by 11 p. m., had flanked General Atkins, and 
was then encamped within three miles of Colonel Spencer. My 
escort of fifteen men and one officer was captured, but I escaped 
with my staff. 

" General Atkins and Colonel Jordan discovered, about 9 p. m., 
that while the enemy was amusing them in' front, Hampton was 
posting with his main force on a road to Atkins's right. These 
officers at once pulled out, and made every effort to join me 
before daylight, but failed to do so, owing to bad roads and tlie 



KILPATRICK AISTD OUR CAVALRY. 229 

almost incessant skirmishing with the enemv, who was marching, 
and at some points not a mile distant. Hampton had marched 
all day, and rested his men about three miles from Colonel Jor- 
dan's position at 2 a. m., and jnst before daylight charged my 
position with three divisions of cavalry, Hume's, Allen's, and 
Butler's. 

Hampton led the centre division, Butler's, and in less than a 
minute had driven back my men, taken possession of my head- 
quarters, captured my aide, and the whole command was flying 
before the most formidable cavalry charge I ever have wit- 
nessed ; Colonel Spencer and a large portion of my staff were 
virtually taken prisoners. On foot I succeeded in gaining the 
cavalry command a few hundretl yards in the rear, and found 
the men fighting with the rebels for their camp and animals, 
and they were soon finally forced back some five hundred yards 
farther, to a swamp impassable to friend or foe. 

"The enemy, eager for plunder, failed to promptly follow us 
up. We rallied, and at once advanced on the foe. We retook 
the cavalry camp, and, encouraged by our success, charged the 
enemy who were endeavoring to harness np my battery horses 
and plundering my head-quarters. We retook the artillery, 
turned it upon the forces about my head-quarters, not twenty 
steps distant, and finally forced him out of my camp with great 
slaughter." 

This is one of the most remarkaMe instances 
in which a partial surprise and defeat, by skill 
and bravery were turned into a most splendid 
victory. The enemy's loss was most severe. 
He left upon the field one general officer, two 
colonels, and over one hundred men killed, and 
a large number of his wounded. And the 
houses, for fifteen miles along his line of march, 



230 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

were filled with his wounded. One building: 
alone, in Fayetteville, contained one hundred 
and three severely wounded. Kilpatrick had, 
on this occasion, not more than one-third of his 
command with him, and yet he defeated Hamp- 
ton's and Wheeler's combined forces. 

A portion only of Hampton's troops suc- 
ceeded in forming a junction with Hardee at 
Fayetteville, two divisions having been cut off, 
and forced to move up the Cape Fear River. 
Kilpatrick now moved to Fayetteville, rested 
his command a few days, then crossed the river, 
and moved in the direction of Raleigh, followed 
by two divisions of the Fourteenth and Twen- 
tieth Corps, respectively. He had reached a 
point about six miles distant from Averysboro, 
with his advance, encountered a heavy force of 
rebel infantry, moving down the road from the 
direction of Raleigh, in line of battle, with skir- 
mishers deployed. Quick as thought, Kilpat- 
rick dismounted the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, 
Colonel Acker, and pushed them forward to 
meet and hold the rebel advance in check, till 
proper dispositions could be made for the des- 
perate fight which seemed at hand. The roads 
were almost impassable, the ground low and 
swampy, and filled with ravines, — a broad, 



KILPATKICK AJS^D OUR CAVALEY. 231 

deep ravine, running at right angles with the 
road, connecting a large swam]) on the right 
with a river on the left. It was evident that 
the enemy were marching for this ravine, and 
there intended to defend the road to Kaleigh, 
when they encountered our cavalry. 

Kilpatrick was urged by his officers to fall 
back behind this ravine ; that it was dangerous 
to risk a battle with this ravine in his rear. 
Said Kilpatrick, "General Sherman must pass 
this way to-morrow. If the enemy secure this 
ravine, it will take the whole army to dislodge 
him. We must look to results, and fight for 
the success of the campaign ; we may get the 
worst of it, but the enemy must not hold this 
ravine, if the cavalry can prevent it." 

The Ninth Michigan soon became hotly en- 
gaged with the enemy, and, by splendid fight- 
ing, held him in check until Kilpatrick had 
taken up a strong position, dismounted, with 
his flanks resting upon the ravine, and his front 
fortified with rails, brush, and timber. Mean- 
time, aide after aide had been dispatched to 
General Sherman, six miles in the rear, for in- 
fantry re-enforcements. The enemy, having 
deployed his lines, finally advanced, driving the 
Ninth Michigan Cavalry back into the woods. 



232 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

But now the rapid and destructive fire from 
Captain Beebe's artillery soon forced liim to halt, 
and, finally, to fall back under cover of a ravine 
a thousand yards distant. It was now dark, and 
our troops rested upon their arms. During the 
night a brigade of infantry came up, and with 
his cavalry and this force General Kilpatrick 
moved forward in line of battle at daylight, 
the infantry having the centre, a strong force 
of cavalry, under Colonels Jones and Spencer, 
moving upon either flank, while the artillery 
and the majority of the cavalry, under General 
Atkins, held the rear. Kilpatrick had not 
moved a mile from out his works, when the 
pickets of the enemy were encountered and 
driven in, and in a few minutes his whole skir- 
mish line became engaged, telling him that he 
had met the enemy in force. He extended his 
lines upon the right and left, and soon forced 
the enemy in upon his line of battle, and draw- 
ing the fire of his artillery. 

The enemy, believing that cavalry alone was 
making the attack, took the ofi*ensive, moved 
from right to left, and rapidly bore down upon 
the cavalry under Colonel Jones, who held the 
right. This movement was discovered in suffi- 
cient time to re-enforce the right, and Colonel 



KILPATKICK AISTD OUR CAVALRY. 233 

Jordan, witli liis cavalry brigade, reached tlie 
point tlireatened before the attack was made, 
and, with Colonel Jones and his command, dis- 
mounted, handsomely repulsed three deter- 
mined charges, and finally forced the enemy 
back, and into his line of works. 

In the mean time, Kilpatrick had thoroughly 
reconnoitred the entire position, and had sent 
for and received a second brigade of infantry, 
which was pushed in upon our left, with in- 
structions to carry the enemy's works upon his 
right. While this was being done, the enemy 
again moved out of his works, and furiously 
attacked the cavalry on the right. General 
Atkins was now brought up, and pushed in to 
the assistance of Colonel Jordan. At this mo- 
ment the shout of the infantry, upon the left, 
as they rushed forward to storm the enemy's 
works, was heard. A general advance was at 
once ordered, and the enemy was driven back 
at all points, over and out of his first line of 
works, with the loss of three pieces of artillery 
and many prisoners. The Twentieth Corps, 
under General Williams, had in the mean time 
come up, as well as a portion of the Fourteenth, 
General Davis, and under the personal direc- 
tion of Major-General Slocum, commanding the 



234 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

left wing, was sent forward into position, and 
steadily pressed the enemy back, until late in 
the night, when, under cover of the darkness, 
lie retreated in the direction of Raleii>;h. 

In this engagement (IGtli of March) tlie caval- 
ry fought, side by side with our infantry, mount- 
ed and dismounted, and behaved most gallantly. 
Charge after charge of the enemy's infantry 
was repulsed; and Colonel Jones, of the 
Eighth Indiana Cavalry, actually rode over 
the enemy's works, losing one-third of his entire 
command. Our cavalry, on this day, won the 
admiration of the entire army. 

During the night, Kilpatrick withdrew his 
command, crossed Black River, and moved off, 
upon the Smithfield road, to the left and front 
of the main army, now moving on Goldsboro. 
The following day, Lieutenant-General John- 
ston evacuated Goldsboro, and massed his forces 
at the little town of Bentonsville, on Mill 
Creek, midway between Raleigh and Golds- 
boro, and there, ])ehind strong intrenchments, 
resolved to dispute the further advance of Sher- 
man's victorious columns. 

This was the last battle of the campaign in 
which the cavalry command took an active 
part, though it remained on the field ready to 



XILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 235 

take part in the battle of Ben tons ville, wliicli 
took place on tlie 19tli. 

Sucli an opportunity, however, did not pre- 
sent itself; for the eneni}^, defeated and driven 
beyond Mill Creek, the main body of the army 
moved to Goldsl)oro, and the cavalry command 
to Mount Olive, on the Wilmington military 
railroad, and there went into camp. 

Here it rested after its labors, sufferings, and 
dangers, in the glorious camj^aign through 
w^hich it had passed. 

It had stood out in bold relief before a whole 
army, and, had it never gained a laurel before 
that day, its deeds of daring and success would 
have been rendered immortal for the unflinch- 
ing, heroic, and most gallant services rendered 
during this glorious campaign, now brought to 
a close. The arms of the command, in all its 
hard struggles, had ever been crowned with 
success ; and the reverses chronicled by most 
narrators of military events, ancient and mod- 
ern, it has never been our misfortune to have 
to record. It is our pleasure and pride, on the 
contrary, to lay before the people the congratu- 
lations of the General-iu-chief, one who ranks 
with renowned conquerors, celebrated in song 
and story : 



236 KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY, 



" Military Division of the Mississippi, I 
" In tub Field, March 22, 1865. ' 

" Special Field Orders, 
No. 35. 

" The general commanding announces to this army, that it 
beat, on its chosen ground, tlie concentrated armies of our ene- 
my, who has fled in disorder, leaving his dead, wounded, and 
prisoners in our hands, and burning his bridges on his retreat. 

" On the same day Major-Cxeaeral Schofield, from Newbern, 
entered and occupied Goldsboro, and Major-General Terry, from 
"Wilmington, secured Cox's Bridge crossing, and laid a pontoon 
bridge, so that our campaign has resulted in a glorious success, 
after a march of the most extraordinary character, near five 
hundred miles, over swamps and rivers deemed impassable to 
others, at the most inclement season of the year, and drawing 
our chief supplies from a poor and wasted country. 

"I thank the army, and assure it that our government and 
people honor them for this new display of physical and moral 
qualities, which reflect honor upon the whole nation. 

" You shall now liave rest, and all the supplies that can be 
brought from the rich granaries and storehouses of our magni- 
ficent country, before again embarking on new and untried 

dangers. 

"W. T. Sherman, 

'•'■Major- General Commanding. 
"Brevet Major-General J. Kilpatrick." 

The wounded aud sick, in this famous cam- 
paiscn, were attended with all the surgical and 
medical skill necessary ; and it may he truly 
said that the Medical Director, Dr. Helm, and 
all the medical officers, promptly, and in the 
face of dangers, responded to every call of duty, 



KILPATRICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 237 

But, in a long and wearisome march, ambu- 
lances l>roke down, or stuck in tlie mud, and 
often had to be abandoned. Of all the officers 
in this campaign, the medical officers were not 
the least painfully taxed ; and the skill, human- 
ity, and j^romj^tiiess with which their duties 
were executed, are worthy the highest praise. 

It was after the battle above described, and 
while resting on the laurels he and his men so 
dearly won, that the appreciation of Sherman, 
and the words of praise he spoke, made the 
heart of the cavalry leader to thrill, and filled 
it with the true exultation known to generous 
minds, and Kilpatrick issued the following con- 
gratulatory address to his brave men : 

" Head-Quartees, Cavalry Command, I 
" In tub Field, March 22, 1S65. ' 

" (Ciroular). 

" The campaign is over, and we are promised rest. Our 
depot will be at Mount Olive, and a railroad shall be at the dis- 
posal of officers and men. Every liberty shall be granted con- 
sistent with the best interests of our cause, for which I feel in 
my heart the invincible soldiers of my command have done so 
much. This day I met our great chief on the field of battle, 
amid the dead and dying of our enemy, Avho has again fled be- 
fore our proud advancing banners, and my ears were made to 
tingle with the grateful words of praise, spoken in admiration 
of the cavalry. 

"Soldiers, be proud! Of all the brave men of this great 
army, you. liave a right to be. You have won the admiration 



238 KILPx\.TRICK ATSTD OUR CAVALRY. 

of our infantry, lighting on foot, .and mounted, and you will 
receive the outspoken words of praise from the great Sherman 
himself. 

" He appreciates and will reward your patient endurance of 
hardships, gallant deeds, and valuable services. 

" With the old laurels of Georgia, entwine those won in the 
Oarolinas, and proudly wear them ! 

" General Sherman is satisfied with his Cavalry. 
" By command of 

"Brevet Ma,jor-General Kilpatrick. 

(Signed) " S. G. Estis, 

'■^ Major and A. A. G^." 

These men, in toil, clanger, and battle, did 
tLeir duty. To have been of, and with them, 
is the writer's pride. A grateful nation will 
never forget them. Their ranks are thinned ; 
many rest in the quiet of the grave. But the 
services rendered the nation are worthy of imi- 
tation by all posterity ; and, long as the Republic 
lasts, their memorials will continue to exist. 
How freely they offered their lives a sacrifice at 
the altar of their country ! How gladly, on 
the most sanguinary fields of the rebellion, they 
met the enemy, will be told in terms of eulogy 
by historians and poets in future generations. 



KILPATEICK AND OUK CAVALRY. 239 



CONCLUSION. 

Iisr this comparatively brief space liave been 
related the events which, in connection with a 
portion of the cavalry, took place in dangerous 
and fatiguing inarches, in uncomfortable bi- 
vouac, in the skirmish and the battle-lines, and 
in bloodshed, death, and victory. What a pic- 
ture does such a narrative form ! How incon- 
gruous are all the elements that enter into the 
composition, and yet how they harmonize 
in grand achievement ! A plain narration of 
facts, without coloring or exaggeration, has been 
our aim. To tell the reader what was done, 
and the way it was done, was the purpose in 
view ; and, in the execution of the desigu, there 
has been no conscious deviation. 

It is by no means assumed that, in this 
sketch, full justice has been done the sulgect, 
though, perhaps, more battles and events of 
importance are herein narrated than will be 
found in some more pretentious volumes ; that 



240 KILPATEICK AND UUIl CAVALEY. 

many of tliese events in full detail would re- 
quire a volume, and yet another to include tlie 
innumerable incidents illustrating the personal 
courage, daring, and patriotism displayed upon 
every field, we are well aware ; but such an ac- 
count in the present work was out of the ques- 
tion, as moderate space was imperatively de- 
manded. Had not this been the case, it would 
have been a profit as well as pleasure to linger 
also amid the romantic scenery of the Cumber- 
land Mountains, and the classic ground from 
Murfreesboro to iVtlanta, througli the centre of 
Georgia, and in the varied country of the Caro- 
linas. 

Vividly could be described the bold outlines 
of the mountain-mass, the rocks which in colos- 
sal grandeur have stood immovable for ages, 
bearing in their bosom the records of a past, in 
which the geologist traces an interesting history 
of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, in com- 
parison to which centuries are as days ; the 
steep ascent of Lookout Mountain, or of Mission 
Ridge, and the gloomy brow of Kenesaw, which 
looked down on as grand and heroic efforts as 
the world ever witnessed. When Titus beheld 
the strong fortifications of Jerusalem, he ex- 
claimed that to take them was im})0ssible, had 



KTLPATRTCK AND OUR CAVALRY. 241 

not Divine aid enabled him to do so. Must not 
tlie same be said of tlie endless earthworks that, 
around Atlanta, indicate the fierce struggle of 
armies, and the mighty force arrayed required 
to hurl rebellion fi'om its defences ? 

In describing such scenes, it is necessary to 
trace the line of the Chickamauga, and, with 
the wand of an enchanter, conjure up again the 
armies that there contended ; and, listening to 
the discordant battle-sounds, the roar of artil- 
lery, and the clash of arms, would be like wit- 
nessing the mighty efforts for the ascendency. 

The graves of our fallen patriots might have 
claimed a tributary tear ! The little head- 
boards that mark the last resting-place of so 
many poor fellows, dear in life, could be trans- 
muted into a living volume, in which a life his- 
tory would be recorded — its hopes, fears, joys, 
and sorrows — of those departed heroes, every in- 
cident of whose career must ever be of interest 
to all, but more especially to us, their com- 
I'ades. 

We might have pointed out the opulent 
plantation, in the march through Georgia and 
the Carolinas, on which peace and jolenty 
smiled, and where lived a once happy house- 
hold, with every comfort in life The story is 

10 



242 KILPATKICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

soon told. Rebellion and its results : the men 
go to tlie war ; the slaves run away ; the cot- 
ton is destroyed — fired by a torch ; foragers 
remove the supplies, and the family, onco so 
prosperous and happy, is without a meal. 

The tale of our progress, in the march of 
Sherman's victorious army, will be illustrated 
by the future historian and novelist, who will, 
with more vividness and imagery, depict the 
scenes, and in thrilling narratives describe the 
story of the war, in words of never-ending inte- 
rest, with incidents of heroism, and love of coun- 
try, furnishing worthy subjects of imitation to 
the youth of the greatest Republic that ever 
existed : and the results of the rebellion will 
stand a warning to future generations, to avoid 
the insubordination and unfaithfulness ending 
in disaster and ruin. No war has been more 
fruitful in events interesting in their character 
and important to the world in example. 

The reader has, in " Kilpatrick and our Cav- 
alry," a condensed account of the events in the 
life of that General, which, from an early day 
to the point of time where this volume closes, 
from a life thus far as active and eventful, in the 
main, as seldom falls to the lot of a young man 
of the age of seven-and-twenty. When it was 



KILPATKICK ANU OUR CAVALRY. 243 

urged upon the wiityr to give some account of 
the operations of our cavahy under his com- 
mand, he little considered how laborious and 
difficult an undertaking it was. A few data, 
reference to reports and documents, and eyes 
and ears, were considered sufficient. But apart 
from the difficulties of composition in the field, 
and the active professional duties of a medical 
officer in a campaign, where his services were in 
constant requisition, it proved no easy task. To 
say nothing of the difficulties in other respects, 
there remained the important one of ascertain- 
ing facts, where he was not an eye-witness, and 
of which there were no records. 

In passing through the Carolinas, and cross- 
ing those swamps and rivers, classical and 
historical, the scenes in which Marion was an 
actor were often brous-ht to mind. The name 
of this active cavalry leader will forever live in 
the minds of the people. He was the fox of 
the swamps, whose vigilance, ever prepared for 
the foe, often brought down punishment on his 
head ; and when pursued by a superior force, 
his men disbanded, and could not be found. 
The services rendered his country were im- 
portant, and our cavaliers were animated by 
remembrance of so bright an example. The 



244 KILPATRIOK AND OUR CAVALRY. 

reader may consult the map, on which can be 
traced the scenes in which our forces followed 
in the footsteps of Sumter and Marion, of 
Gates or of Greene, in the struggle for freedom, 
amid the swamps and rivers of South Carolina. 

The day is not distant when the vast terri- 
tory of the States traversed by our cavalry, 
shall undergo an important change in the recon- 
struction of ruined homesteads and broken-down 
estates : a more perfect system of agriculture ; 
the supply of free labor, and the improvement 
by energy, industry, and capital, of the re- 
sources of a country capable of much ameliora- 
tion, and unbounded development in the arts, 
commerce, and navigation. 

It will be then, when population spreads, 
when churches, schools, and colleges multiply, 
when a free press throughout the South shall 
minister to a people free from the shackles of 
a hateful oligarchy, and unbiassed by dema- 
gogues, shall, under the old banner of the 
Republic, rejoice and sing, and sweet music 
resound in all the borders of this sunny land. 

And when the last cavalryman is no more 
when the leader himself has gone, their glorious 
deeds of old will be brought to mind ; and so 
shall it be, as the stream of Time flows on to 



KILPATRICK AND OUR CAVALRY. 245 

the eternal sea, and the people, devoted to agri- 
culture and peaceful pursuits, shall turn over 
with the ploughshare some old shell, sabre, or 
carbine, relics of the battle-field, then shall be 
remembered by some hoary sage the tradition 
of his youth regarding it, and, with his aged 
and quaking arm, and the staif that sustains his 
tottering frame, he shall point out the former 
battle-line, and describe how the men rallied to 
their leader, as Kilpatrick led them on to battle 
and to victory. 

" Honor the brave and bold ! 
Long shall the tale be told. 
Yea, when our babes are old, 
How they rode onward !" 



THE END. 



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